US northwest battles wildfires after Spokane neighbourhoods scorched

A series of wildfires, exacerbated by drought, intense heat, and high winds, have ravaged the city of Spokane in Washington state, prompting the evacuation of 65,000 residents and the destruction of hundreds of buildings. Firefighters have managed to contain two of the three fires, which have burned 8,026 acres so far, according to InciWeb.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Monday and Tuesday have aided efforts to combat the flames, though a warming trend is expected mid-week. No casualties have been reported thus far. Sheriff John Nowels urged authorities to locate 14 unaccounted individuals, while Mayor Lisa Brown warned that recovery could take weeks, depending on the location of affected homes.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, who has been in contact with President Trump, declared a state of emergency and is awaiting federal assistance for search and rescue, debris removal, medical supplies, and emergency power. The Old Trails fire, the largest of the three, crossed the Spokane River into the city on Saturday and has forced numerous residents to flee in panic. Over 6,445 customers have lost power due to the fires.