US northwest wildfires force 65,000 to flee as hundreds of buildings burn in Spokane

Wildfires driven by drought, extreme heat, and strong winds have devastated the Spokane area in Washington state, forcing 65,000 people to evacuate. The fires, which have combined to burn 8,026 acres, have destroyed hundreds of buildings, with estimates ranging from 600 to 1,100 structures lost. According to Free Malaysia Today, somewhere between 700-1,110 structures have been lost since the fires broke out over the weekend.

The fires, described by Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown as the "worst natural disaster our region has faced," have prompted a massive response from firefighters, who are working to contain the flames. Cooler temperatures and higher humidities have aided their efforts, but a warming trend is expected to resume mid-week, potentially exacerbating the situation.

No reports of injuries have been confirmed, and anxious families are awaiting news on when they can return home. The fires have been fueled by dry, windy conditions in the wildland-urban interface, an area where neighborhoods have been built into forests, shrublands, and grasslands.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Le Monde English, CBS News, Free Malaysia Today, The Conversation — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.