Washington Wildfires Threaten Communities as Damage Mounts
WHO:
CBS News - Kris Van Cleave reported on the wildfires.
WHAT:
NBC News - The Old Trails and Autumn Lane fires were each 13% contained, and the Fairview fire was 5% contained.
Newsweek - The wildfires have now forced 65,000 evacuations, a decrease from the previously reported 67,000.
ABC News - The fires have destroyed about 850 buildings and forced the evacuation of around 67,000 people since they erupted last weekend.
ABC News - Damage assessment crews have yet to tally exactly how many houses have been lost or damaged.
ABC News - No deaths have been reported.
ABC News - The Autumn Lane and Fairview fires started independently of the arson-caused Old Trails Fire and remain under investigation.
ABC News - Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels stated that evacuation zones will remain in place due to incoming weather and fire danger, indicating they will not be downgraded for many more days.
ABC News - U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell stated that senators received a briefing from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Wildland Fire Service Director Brian Fennessy, who assured them that keeping firefighting assets in the Northwest is a priority.
ABC News - Thomas Kyle-Milward, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, reported that there are 16 uncontained wildfires burning more than 672 square miles (1,740 square km) in Washington, being fought by more than 7,000 fire personnel.
ABC News - The wildfires have destroyed about 850 buildings and forced the evacuation of around 67,000 people since they erupted last weekend.
ABC News - Firefighters have established containment lines around the perimeters of all three fires affecting Spokane.
ABC News - Temperatures were expected to climb into the upper 90s (36-37 degrees Celsius) with less humidity late this week.
ABC News - The man charged with starting the Old Trails Fire, Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, was expected to be arraigned Thursday.
ABC News - Authorities previously contacted Aaron F. Farinacci during two fire investigations last year, including one in a state park that prompted evacuation notices.
NBC News - Cooler temperatures are aiding in the battle against the Spokane wildfires.
Newsweek - Spokane wildfires have burned over 10,000 acres.
Newsweek - The wildfires have destroyed 700 structures.
Newsweek - The wildfires have forced 65,000 evacuations.
WHERE:
CBS News - The wildfires are near Spokane, Washington.
WHY:
CBS News - There are fears that the fires could worsen due to weather conditions.
HOW:
ABC News - Firefighters have taken advantage of cooler weather to begin getting a handle on the wildfires, but hotter, drier, and windier days are expected ahead.
CBS News - The wildfires are described as burning out of control.
(UPDATED August 6, 2026 08:15 UTC)
The Old Trails and Autumn Lane fires are currently 13% contained, while the Fairview fire is at 5% containment. Wildfires have led to 65,000 evacuations, a slight decrease from the earlier figure of 67,000. Firefighters are making progress thanks to cooler weather, but they are bracing for hotter, drier, and windier conditions in the days to come.
--
(UPDATED August 5, 2026 23:50 UTC)
Wildfires in Washington have destroyed about 850 buildings and forced the evacuation of around 67,000 people since they began last weekend, with damage assessment crews still working to determine the full extent of the losses. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels has announced that evacuation zones will remain in place due to incoming weather and fire danger, while U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell reported that senators received assurances from key officials that maintaining firefighting resources in the Northwest is a top priority. Currently, there are 16 uncontained wildfires burning over 672 square miles, with more than 7,000 fire personnel actively engaged in the fight against the flames.
--
(UPDATED August 5, 2026 22:11 UTC)
Wildfires have wreaked havoc in Spokane, destroying about 850 buildings and forcing around 67,000 people to evacuate since they began last weekend. Firefighters have managed to establish containment lines around the perimeters of all three fires, but with temperatures expected to rise into the upper 90s later this week, conditions remain challenging. Meanwhile, Aaron F. Farinacci, the 37-year-old man charged with starting the Old Trails Fire, is set to be arraigned on Thursday, having previously been contacted by authorities during two fire investigations last year.
--
(UPDATED August 5, 2026 18:28 UTC)
Cooler temperatures are providing some relief in the ongoing battle against the Spokane wildfires. This shift in weather is helping firefighters as they work to contain the flames. NBC News reports that the change in conditions is a welcome development in the fight against these devastating fires.
--
(UPDATED August 5, 2026 16:15 UTC)
Wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have burned over 10,000 acres and destroyed 700 structures, forcing the evacuation of 65,000 residents. Reports indicate that the fires are currently burning out of control, raising concerns that they could worsen due to impending weather conditions. CBS News correspondent Kris Van Cleave has been covering this developing situation.