Washington: Fast-moving wildfires have scorched more than 250,000 acres across Washington state, forcing evacuations, cutting power to thousands of residents and prompting state authorities to declare a statewide emergency.
Around 4,000 firefighters are battling more than a dozen active wildfires across the state as strong winds and high temperatures continue to fuel the blazes. Officials stated that no fire-related injuries or fatalities had been reported as of August 1 evening.
Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and imposed a burn ban in response to the worsening fire conditions, warning that weather conditions are expected to make firefighting efforts even more challenging.
I’ll be heading to Spokane Sunday morning to meet with responders and monitor the emergency response. My thoughts are with the first responders and all those under evacuation tonight. If you are in the area, please continue to be vigilant and follow directions of emergency…
— Governor Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson) August 2, 2026
The city of Spokane, home to around 230,000 residents, has been particularly affected by the Old Trails Fire, which has burned about 3,000 acres and is threatening nearly 4,000 structures.
Several major facilities in Spokane, including water reclamation plants, a waste-to-energy facility and a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, have been evacuated as a precaution. Officials stated that about 200 homes had been evacuated by August 1 afternoon, with that number expected to increase as the fire spreads.
Power outages have also disrupted daily life, with utility provider Avista reporting that approximately 60,000 customers across eastern Washington were without electricity.
Authorities noted that nearly 450,000 acres have burned across Washington since the start of the summer, describing this year’s wildfire season as far more severe than normal. The Kaiser Canyon Fire in northeastern Washington is currently the state’s largest blaze, consuming around 134,000 acres.
Wildfire activity has also intensified across the wider Pacific Northwest, with neighbouring British Columbia experiencing multiple fires after nearly 34,000 lightning strikes last month triggered widespread evacuations.
Firefighters from more than a dozen US states, supported by the Washington National Guard, have joined local crews in the response as emergency teams continue working to contain the fires and protect threatened communities.
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