A rapidly spreading wildfire forced thousands of residents to flee their homes on Saturday after flames advanced toward Spokane, Washington, prompting state authorities to declare an emergency amid one of the region's most severe wildfire seasons in recent years.
Officials said more than 200,000 acres of land are currently burning across Washington as the state battles a fourth straight year of widespread drought, with dry conditions and powerful winds accelerating the spread of multiple wildfires.
Governor Bob Ferguson said the combination of prolonged drought and strong winds had created extremely dangerous conditions, leading the state to impose a ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning through the end of September in an effort to reduce the risk of new fires.
Emergency responders reported that the Old Trails Fire crossed the Spokane River before pushing into parts of the city, forcing authorities to issue the highest evacuation order, urging residents in affected neighbourhoods to leave immediately.
The wildfire expanded to more than 3,500 acres within hours, raising concerns about further destruction as firefighters worked to contain the flames. Despite the rapid spread, officials said no injuries had been reported as of Saturday evening.
Emergency shelters were opened at the Spokane Convention Centre to accommodate displaced residents, while state and local agencies intensified response efforts.
The National Weather Service had earlier issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning across eastern Washington, citing extreme fire weather conditions caused by hot temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.
The Washington National Guard also confirmed it was deploying personnel and resources to support firefighting operations and assist communities affected by the fast-moving blaze.
Authorities warned that changing weather conditions could worsen the situation and urged residents in evacuation zones to follow official instructions as emergency crews continued efforts to protect lives and property.
