Wildfire prompts thousands to evacuate in eastern Washington
A fast-moving wildfire in Spokane, Washington, has forced thousands of residents to evacuate as the blaze spreads across residential areas. Firefighters currently have zero containment, and officials have declared a state of emergency due to extreme weather conditions.
Why it matters
Increasingly frequent and severe wildfires highlight the growing impact of climate change on regional safety and infrastructure.
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SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire driven by strong winds and high temperatures swept across northwest Spokane on Saturday before jumping the Spokane River and prompting the evacuation of thousands of people.
The Old Trails Fire started around noon, burning brush and grass in an open area, but quickly spread north and east toward residential areas. Cars lined the roads as people fled their homes, and orange and red flames were visible from the highway.
The blaze sent a plume of smoke billowing over the region, and as of the evening almost 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of terrain had been burned, said Courtney James, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
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