Spokane Wildfires Escalate Amid Drought and Rare Fire Warning
Spokane Wildfires Escalate Amid Drought and Rare Fire Warning
US · Published Aug 3, 2026
Wildfires in Spokane, Washington, have rapidly spread due to a combination of extreme heat, low humidity, and wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, compounded by the state's fourth consecutive year of drought. The largest fire, the Old Trails Fire, ignited near Airway Heights on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and quickly expanded into Riverside State Park and city neighborhoods. By Sunday, the fires had burned approximately 5,390 acres (2,180 hectares) in Spokane and 390 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) statewide. Evacuation orders have displaced around 60,000 residents, and over 7,700 homes are without power. The National Weather Service issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" fire-weather warning for central and eastern Washington, marking the first such advisory for the region. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency and implemented a burn ban through September
Source time: Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:00:00 GMT.

Impact & Risks

The wildfires have destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, with preliminary estimates indicating that approximately 600 structures have been affected. Evacuation orders are in place for high-risk areas, including Riverside State Park and neighborhoods along U.S. Highway 395. Air quality in Spokane has deteriorated due to smoke, posing health risks to residents. While no injuries or fatalities have been reported, officials warn that the situation remains dangerous, with dry conditions expected to persist. The fires are part of a challenging wildfire season in Washington, where over 1,000 fires have burned 425,000 acres this year.

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