Evacuations Underway as Massive Wildfire Rages in Eastern WA
WHO:
ABC News - Courtney James, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
ABC News - Jessica Watson, DNR spokesperson for the fire.
ABC News - Gov. Bob Ferguson, who declared a state of emergency.
NonStop Local KHQ - Agencies involved in the Air Quality Alert include the Washington Department of Ecology, Colville Confederated Tribes Environmental Protection Agency, and Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.
WHAT:
NBC News - The wildfire has damaged more than 600 structures, with many of them located within the city limits of Spokane.
Boston.com News - The fires have burned more than 8.2 square miles around Spokane, affecting 5,000 homes.
NBC News - The blaze has prompted mass evacuations, with thousands of residents fleeing their homes.
NBC News - The wildfire has damaged more than 600 structures as officials continue to assess the destruction.
Boston.com News - The fires have burned more than 8.2 square miles around Spokane, affecting 5,000 homes.
NBC News - A wildfire burning northwest of downtown Spokane has damaged more than 600 structures as officials continue to assess the destruction.
Boston.com News - The fires have burned more than 8.2 square miles around Spokane, affecting 5,000 homes.
NBC News - The wildfire has damaged more than 600 structures as officials continue to assess the destruction.
NBC News - The wildfire burning northwest of downtown Spokane has damaged more than 600 structures as officials continue to assess the destruction.
ABC News - The Old Trails Fire has burned brush and grass in an open area and quickly spread north and east toward residential areas, with officials reporting zero containment as of the evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - An evacuation shelter has opened for Old Trails Fire evacuees.
BBC News - Wildfires across Washington state have affected more than 250,000 acres, leading to widespread evacuations and power outages.
Boston.com News - The fires burned more than 8.2 square miles around Spokane, affecting 5,000 homes.
NBC News - The wildfire has damaged more than 600 structures as officials continue to assess the destruction.
NBC News - A wildfire burning northwest of downtown Spokane has damaged more than 600 structures as officials continue to assess the destruction.
NonStop Local KHQ - An Air Quality Alert has also been issued for Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties until further notice due to expected smoke impacts from ongoing and emerging fires.
ABC News - The Old Trails Fire has burned brush and grass in an open area and quickly spread north and east toward residential areas, with officials reporting zero containment as of the evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - An evacuation shelter has opened for Old Trails Fire evacuees.
NonStop Local KHQ - Particulate matter (PM2.5) levels may reach unhealthy levels through the weekend, especially in areas downwind from active wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.
ABC News - The Old Trails Fire has burned brush and grass in an open area and quickly spread north and east toward residential areas.
ABC News - Cars lined the roads as people fled their homes, with orange and red flames visible from the highway.
ABC News - The blaze sent a plume of smoke billowing over the region, with almost 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of terrain burned as of the evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - An Air Quality Alert is in effect until further notice due to current and expected wildfire smoke from regional fires.
NonStop Local KHQ - The Old Trails Fire has burned over 2,500 acres as it continues to spread.
NonStop Local KHQ - Particulate matter (PM2.5) levels may reach unhealthy levels through the weekend, especially in areas downwind from active wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.
NonStop Local KHQ - An evacuation shelter has opened for Old Trails Fire evacuees.
BBC News - Wildfires across Washington state have affected more than 250,000 acres, leading to widespread evacuations and power outages.
ABC News - Some structures were lost in the Old Trails Fire, but officials did not have a solid count of the damages as of the evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties due to current and expected wildfire smoke, with particulate matter (PM2.5) potentially reaching unhealthy levels through the weekend.
ABC News - A fast-moving wildfire, named the Old Trails Fire, prompted the evacuation of thousands of people.
ABC News - The fire burned almost 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of terrain.
ABC News - Firefighters reported zero containment of the blaze as of the evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - An Air Quality Alert was issued for multiple counties due to expected wildfire smoke.
WHERE:
NBC News - The wildfire is located northwest of downtown Spokane, Washington.
ABC News - The wildfire is located in northwest Spokane, Washington.
NonStop Local KHQ - The Air Quality Alert affects Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties.
WHEN:
ABC News - The Old Trails Fire started around noon on a Saturday.
NonStop Local KHQ - The Air Quality Alert is in effect until further notice.
WHY:
ABC News - The cause of the Old Trails Fire is under investigation.
ABC News - Unusually high temperatures and high winds exacerbated record wildfires across the state.
HOW:
NonStop Local KHQ - An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, and Stevens Counties due to expected smoke impacts from ongoing and emerging fires.
NonStop Local KHQ - Particulate matter (PM2.5) levels may reach unhealthy levels through the weekend, especially in areas downwind from active wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.
NonStop Local KHQ - Shifting winds are expected to bring smoke into Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties beginning Saturday evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected to produce significant smoke from ongoing and emerging fires.
ABC News - The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag alert for eastern Washington due to the fire conditions.
NonStop Local KHQ - Shifting winds are expected to bring smoke into Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties beginning Saturday evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected to produce significant smoke from ongoing and emerging fires.
NonStop Local KHQ - Shifting winds are expected to bring smoke into Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties beginning Saturday evening.
NonStop Local KHQ - Extremely critical fire weather conditions on Saturday are expected to produce significant smoke from ongoing and emerging fires.
ABC News - The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag alert for eastern Washington due to the fire conditions.
ABC News - The wildfire was driven by strong winds and high temperatures.
ABC News - Avista implemented public safety shutoffs in the area due to elevated fire risk.
(UPDATED August 3, 2026 05:30 UTC)
A devastating wildfire near Spokane has damaged over 600 structures and burned more than 8.2 square miles, affecting around 5,000 homes and prompting mass evacuations as thousands of residents flee their properties. In response to the ongoing and emerging fires, an Air Quality Alert has been issued for several counties, including Asotin, Chelan, and Douglas, due to expected smoke impacts. Authorities are urging residents in these areas to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the situation develops.
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(UPDATED August 3, 2026 01:23 UTC)
A wildfire burning northwest of downtown Spokane has caused significant damage, affecting more than 600 structures and impacting around 5,000 homes as officials continue to assess the destruction. The fire has consumed over 8.2 square miles of land, and particulate matter levels may reach unhealthy levels through the weekend, particularly in areas downwind from the active wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Residents are advised to stay informed and take precautions as the situation develops.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 23:49 UTC)
Wildfires around Spokane have burned over 8.2 square miles and damaged more than 600 structures, affecting approximately 5,000 homes as officials continue to assess the destruction. The Old Trails Fire has prompted the opening of an evacuation shelter, with zero containment reported and shifting winds expected to bring smoke into nearby counties starting Saturday evening. Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag alert for eastern Washington, warning of extremely critical fire weather conditions that could lead to significant smoke from both ongoing and emerging fires.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 22:49 UTC)
A significant wildfire has burned over 8.2 square miles around Spokane, impacting approximately 5,000 homes. As officials continue to assess the damage, reports indicate that more than 600 structures have been affected by the flames. The situation remains critical as firefighters work to contain the blaze and protect the community.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 20:05 UTC)
A wildfire burning northwest of downtown Spokane, Washington, has already damaged more than 600 structures as officials assess the extent of the destruction. In response to the ongoing and emerging fires, an Air Quality Alert has been issued for Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties until further notice due to expected smoke impacts. Residents are urged to stay informed and take precautions as the situation develops.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 17:52 UTC)
The Old Trails Fire has rapidly spread north and east toward residential areas, with officials reporting no containment as of the evening. An evacuation shelter has been established for those affected by the fire, and particulate matter levels are anticipated to reach unhealthy levels through the weekend, particularly in areas downwind from active wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. As shifting winds are expected to bring smoke into Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties starting Saturday evening, residents are advised to stay alert.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 15:51 UTC)
The Old Trails Fire has rapidly spread north and east, threatening residential areas as it consumes brush and grass in an open region. As flames become visible from the highway, residents are evacuating their homes, with cars lining the roads to escape the blaze, which has already burned nearly four square miles of land. An Air Quality Alert is currently in effect due to the smoke from this and other regional fires, with extremely critical fire weather conditions expected to worsen the situation.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 14:24 UTC)
The Old Trails Fire has now burned over 2,500 acres and continues to spread. As a result, particulate matter levels may reach unhealthy levels through the weekend, particularly in areas downwind from active wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Shifting winds are expected to bring smoke into Grant, Lincoln, and Spokane counties starting Saturday evening.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 12:49 UTC)
An evacuation shelter has been opened for those affected by the Old Trails Fire as wildfires across Washington state have scorched more than 250,000 acres, prompting widespread evacuations and power outages. Extremely critical fire weather conditions are anticipated on Saturday, which will likely generate significant smoke from both ongoing and emerging fires. Residents in the area are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the situation develops.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 09:52 UTC)
The Old Trails Fire has resulted in the loss of some structures, although officials are still working to determine the full extent of the damages. In response to the wildfire smoke, an Air Quality Alert has been issued for several counties, including Asotin and Chelan, with particulate matter potentially reaching unhealthy levels through the weekend. Additionally, the National Weather Service has declared a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag alert for eastern Washington due to the ongoing fire conditions.
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(UPDATED August 2, 2026 07:28 UTC)
A fast-moving wildfire known as the Old Trails Fire has prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents in northwest Spokane, Washington, as it has already burned nearly four square miles of terrain with zero containment reported by firefighters. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a state of emergency, and an Air Quality Alert is now in effect for several counties, including Spokane, due to expected smoke from the fire. The cause of the Old Trails Fire is still under investigation, but officials note that strong winds and high temperatures have worsened the situation, leading to public safety shutoffs by Avista in the area.