A fast-moving wildfire advanced towards the city of Spokane on Saturday, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate as authorities in Washington state declared an emergency amid one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent years.
More than 200,000 acres of land have already been consumed by fires across the state, which is experiencing its fourth consecutive year of severe drought conditions.
Governor Bob Ferguson attributed the worsening situation to prolonged dry weather and strong winds, announcing an extension of restrictions on outdoor and agricultural burning activities until the end of September.
“Our record-setting drought and high winds are creating dangerous conditions across the state,” the governor said.
The wildfire, known as the Old Trails fire, crossed the Spokane River and spread into parts of the city, prompting emergency officials to issue the highest evacuation warning level, urging residents to leave immediately.
Local authorities said the blaze had spread to more than 3,500 acres by Saturday evening, with thousands of residents affected by the evacuation order.
Emergency shelters were opened at the Spokane Convention Centre to accommodate displaced residents, while firefighters continued efforts to contain the flames.
Although no casualties had been reported, officials warned that the full extent of the destruction might not become clear until conditions improved.
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“When the sun sets, and the sun rises, we are going to be in shock,” Major General Gent Welsh said during a briefing.
Earlier in the day, the National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” Red Flag Alert across eastern Washington, citing extreme weather conditions capable of accelerating the spread of wildfires.
The Washington National Guard also announced that troops and equipment were being deployed to assist emergency responders.
Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove described the situation as one of the state’s most severe wildfire outbreaks in recent history.
“This year has already been one of our busiest wildfire years on record, and we just started August,” he said.
The latest disaster adds to growing concerns over the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires across the western United States, with scientists linking the trend to prolonged droughts and rising global temperatures.