The Spokane fires have caused significant destruction, with hundreds of homes and businesses lost. The rapid spread of flames has turned parts of the city into what experts call an 'urban conflagration,' where fires move from house to house rather than through wildlands. The fires have also contributed to poor air quality, with smoke affecting areas far beyond the immediate burn zones. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such events to climate change, which has lengthened fire seasons and intensified drought conditions.