'It’s all burnt': Spokane wildfire survivors tell their stories - USA Today
Wildfires in Spokane, Washington, have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. The fires, fueled by drought and high winds, remain uncontained as local authorities investigate potential arson.
Why it matters
The event highlights the increasing frequency and severity of climate-driven natural disasters in suburban areas, impacting housing security and public safety.
Hear this story Jason Dalton looked forward to bringing his children back to his childhood home in Spokane, Washington, where they could enjoy the backyard and swimming pool he loved growing up.
On Aug. 1, Dalton’s childhood home was among an estimated 700 structures razed to the ground by several wildfires that swept across the Spokane area in a matter of hours.
“I’m still in shock,” Dalton, 35, told USA TODAY. “I’m sad for my mom. She lost everything.”
As of Aug. 4, three large wildfires consumed more than 16 square miles of land and forced more than 65,000 people to flee their homes, officials said. Police arrested a 37-year-old man accused of igniting the Old Trails Fire, the largest of the three blazes.
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