{
  "id": 69934,
  "title": "About 60,000 ordered to evacuate from fires in Spokane, Washington",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/about-60-000-ordered-to-evacuate-from-fires-in-spokane-washington",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-03T02:59:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/03/about-60-000-ordered-to-evacuate-from-fires-in-spokane-washington"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Wildfires have forced the evacuation of approximately 60,000 residents in the Spokane area of Washington state, according to local authorities. The Spokane Area Fire, consisting of three separate blazes, has burned 5,390 acres, with the incident management team reporting. The fires have destroyed 600 buildings, including homes and businesses, in the region. Spokane Fire Chief Tom Williams confirmed to Reuters that the fires were still uncontained. No injuries or fatalities have been reported thus far. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the situation as \"the worst natural disaster our region has faced.\" Around 10,000 electricity customers in the area were without power as of Sunday afternoon, reported Avista Utilities CEO Heather Rosentrader. State officials have indicated that over 250,000 acres are currently burning across Washington state. Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington contacted US President Donald Trump on Sunday, requesting aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the governor declared a statewide emergency.",
  "summary": "Wildfires have destroyed 600 buildings, including homes and businesses, as the governor declares a statewide emergency.",
  "key_points": [
    "Approximately 60,000 residents evacuated in Spokane, Washington.",
    "Three separate wildfires burned 5,390 acres, destroying 600 buildings.",
    "Governor Bob Ferguson requested Federal Emergency Management Agency aid."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Eastern Washington fires have burned 600 structures and forced the evacuation of 5,000 homes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/eastern-washington-fires-have-burned-600-structures-and-forced-the",
        "published": "2026-08-02T16:23:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Eastern Washington fires have burned 600 structures and forced evacuation of 60,000 people",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/eastern-washington-fires-have-burned-600-structures-and-forced",
        "published": "2026-08-02T23:59:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}