New fire sparks west of Spokane, prompting brief evacuation order
A new wildfire, the Charles fire, broke out near Spokane, Washington, forcing brief evacuation orders as crews worked to contain it. This incident adds to an already severe wildfire season that has displaced thousands and damaged numerous structures.
Why it matters
The rapid emergence of new fires during an existing crisis underscores the extreme volatility and danger posed by current environmental conditions in the region.
A fourth wildfire sparked Wednesday afternoon in the Spokane area, prompting a brief evacuation notice as crews scrambled to contain the flames west of town. Crews quickly stopped the spread.
Tens of thousands in the area still remain out of their homes as a trio of wildfires grew prodigiously — fueled by unprecedentedly dry conditions, high temperatures and wind speeds — and tore into the city. Hundreds of homes and other buildings have already been burned, but so far no deaths or injuries have been reported.
But the fourth wildfire, the Charles fire, has thrown an entirely new level of danger into the mix and underscored the volatility of conditions on the ground. Even more wildfire-prone weather is expected in the days to come.
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