- Wildfires have prompted mass evacuations in Spokane County, with 60,000 residents forced to leave their homes.
- The fires burned about 32 square kilometres by Monday morning and were 0-per-cent contained, according to Washington State Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Courtney James.
- Officials reported no injuries or people unaccounted for but stressed it was early in the response; Spokane evacuees included patients at its U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital.
- U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said during a news conference in Spokane, 'We are not out of danger. The next couple of days will be challenging.'
- Investigators had yet to determine how the blazes started; fire officials cited two unauthorized drone operators and reported at least 26 “drone incursions” over the fires on Sunday.
- In Spokane, authorities set up a shelter at the city’s main convention center with about 400 people staying there; Spokane Public Schools opened a free emergency drop-in camp for children.
- The fires were among dozens of wildfires across the Western U.S. that stretched firefighting agencies; at least 1,000 square kilometres has burned across Washington state.
- Firefighting efforts stretched beyond Washington: crews used bulldozers and helicopters for a 10th day against a fire that burned about 1,360 square kilometres in western Idaho and eastern Oregon.
- In central Utah, a blaze grew to nearly 147 square kilometres, killed more than 100 cattle, and was called “catastrophic”.
Wildfires in eastern Washington have prompted mass evacuations, affecting 60,000 residents in Spokane County. The fires have destroyed at least 600 structures and burned approximately 32 square kilometers, with officials reporting they are 0% contained.1
"The whole northwest is heavily impacted right now," said Keila Vizcarra, a spokesperson for the federal team managing the situation.
Firefighters are facing challenges as the fires are among dozens across the Western U.S., stretching resources thin.
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell emphasized the ongoing danger, stating, "We are not out of danger. The next couple of days will be challenging."6
Authorities have set up shelters, including one at Spokane's main convention center, housing about 400 evacuees.
Investigators are still determining the cause of the fires, with reports of unauthorized drone activity complicating firefighting efforts.
As of now, there have been no reports of injuries or missing persons, but officials remain vigilant as the situation develops.
“Washington State Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Courtney James said the fires were 0-per-cent contained after burning about 32 square kilometres by Monday morning. Officials also reported no injuries and cited at least 26 “drone incursions” over the fires on Sunday.”
The Globe and Mail
