Wildfires in US' Spokane burn 600 structures, force evacuation of 60,000 people: ‘We are not out of danger’

A devastating wildfire in Spokane, Washington, has forced the evacuation of approximately 60,000 residents and destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses, and other structures. The fires, fueled by strong winds and dry weather, have burned about 8.2 square miles (21 square kilometers) in and around the city, with some areas still not contained.

Spokane's second-largest city is situated in a region with steep canyons, which channel the powerful winds, exacerbating the fire's spread. Authorities have established emergency shelters at the convention center and fairgrounds to assist evacuees, including patients from the local U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital. Despite the ongoing danger, officials have emphasized that the situation is not yet out of control, urging residents to remain vigilant.

The National Weather Service has issued red flag fire warnings for parts of Utah, Montana, and western Nebraska, alongside extreme heat warnings for southern Arizona, California, Nevada, and northern Montana. Meanwhile, other wildfires continue to rage across the Western United States, threatening numerous structures and forcing residents to evacuate.