Rapidly spreading wildfires destroy homes in Spokane, forcing evacuations: What we know

Spokane, a city in the northwestern United States, witnessed rapidly spreading wildfires that tore through the region on August 2, causing widespread destruction, as officials said hundreds of structures were burned to the ground.

What we know

Thousands of people were asked to evacuate their homes on August 1 and overnight into August 2 after three separate wildfires broke out in and around the city in eastern Washington state, AFP reported.

According to reports, roughly 600 homes, businesses and other buildings were destroyed by fast-moving wildfires that were driven by strong winds and rising temperatures. Further, the National Weather Service (NWS) had warned of "extremely critical fire weather conditions" in the area because of strong winds and exceptional dryness.

Footage from Sunday showed the aftermath of the wildfires, with dozens of homes reduced to ashes, leaving only brick fireplaces and foundations standing, while several neighbouring houses remained largely untouched.

However, later on Sunday (August 2), weather conditions improved as winds eased, but the wildfires remained at zero per cent containment, according to officials.

The Old Trails fire, the largest of the three wildfires burning in Spokane, crossed the Spokane River on Saturday afternoon and spread into the city limits.

According to the government's evacuation map, authorities issued the highest-level evacuation alert for swathes of northern Spokane, affecting thousands of people within the city limits. As authorities set up a fire evacuation shelter at the Spokane Convention Center, the three fires had burned a total of 5,390 acres (2,181 hectares) as of Sunday morning.

Spokane Mayor, Washington Governor issue statements

In a press briefing, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown called it the "worst natural disaster our region has faced," and added, "Hundreds of homes and structures have been lost. We are still assessing the potential for lives to be lost." She went on to say, "To the people who are suffering right now in our region from either loss or uncertainty... our hearts go out to you. We are here for you for the long term."

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency, saying the state was experiencing its fourth straight year of drought, with climate change creating conditions that have fuelled destructive wildfires. Speaking at a press conference, Ferguson said he had spoken with federal officials, including US President Donald Trump, to seek additional resources for the response. He added that Trump understood "how dire the situation is."

Ferguson further noted, "There are just so many Washingtonians who have literally lost everything in a very, very short period of time." He went on to add, "Just in a matter of hours, their lives changed in deeply dramatic and fundamental ways. And so it's difficult to find words when folks have experienced a loss like that," CBS News reported.

Pacific Northwest sees 'extraordinary wildfire season'

David Upthegrove, chief of Washington's Department of Natural Resources, noted that the fire in Spokane was "one of 15 major fires burning throughout the state of Washington right now." He said that this is an extraordinary wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest and added, "A confluence of weather conditions, a confluence of fires throughout the West, are stretching our resources and challenging the individuals in this response."

Locals on evacuating homes, witnessing massive wildfires

Speaking to AFP, Spokane resident Geoff Beadles said, "Just driving around looking at the homes -- it's just one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever seen in my life," after he was forced to evacuate his home with his fiancée and dogs.

Another resident noted that she saw flames behind the trees near her home as she rushed out of her home but got stuck in traffic as the fast-moving fires blocked routes out of the city.

(with AFP inputs)