Wildfires near Spokane destroy more than 700 buildings, force 64,000 to flee
The Spokane-area fires have scorched more than 3,200 hectares since erupting on Saturday on the northern outskirts of the city near the Idaho border.
On the third day of raging wildfires near Spokane, Washington, at least 700 buildings have been destroyed and over 64,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. The cluster of three blazes, ranked as the top firefighting priority nationwide, has blackened over 3,200 hectares since erupting on Saturday. Flames have consumed forest land just 10 km from the city's downtown, with smoke visible miles away.
Kami Fehlig and her family were among those who fled before the fire jumped the Spokane River, losing their home and chicken coop in the process. Over 1,100 firefighters are currently battling the blazes, but containment remains at zero for all three Spokane-area fires. The cause of the blazes is under investigation, and no injuries or fatalities have been reported yet.
This extraordinary wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest is largely attributed to human-caused climate change, with record drought conditions leading to explosive fire behavior.
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