Homes burn to the ground in Spokane, Washington as over 65,000 residents forced to flee wildfire flames

Gov. Bob Ferguson issued an emergency proclamation Saturday in response to what has become one of the state's worst wildfire seasons in recent years. The declaration also imposes a statewide ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30.

The order came just ahead of what the National Weather Service described as a "particularly dangerous situation" Red Flag Warning, with "extreme" fire weather across much of Eastern Washington.

More than 1,000 wildfires have already burned approximately 425,000 acres this year, the most since 2021, according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Fifteen major fires are currently burning across more than 250,000 acres statewide.

The most destructive fires are centered around Spokane, where the Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires have devastated neighborhoods. Officials estimate approximately 700 structures, including hundreds of homes, have been destroyed. More than 65,000 residents have been placed under evacuation orders, making it one of the largest wildfire evacuations in recent Washington history. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown described the disaster as "the worst natural disaster our region has faced."

Despite the widespread destruction, officials reported Sunday that no fatalities had yet been confirmed.

As the crisis intensified, Ferguson said he spoke Sunday with President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to request federal assistance. "The president was very gracious, as was Secretary Mullin," Ferguson said during a Spokane news conference. "I spoke to the president about what's going on... He expressed his support for what the people are going through out here."

The state has requested immediate federal assistance for search and rescue operations, emergency housing, food assistance, and debris removal, with additional long-term disaster aid expected to follow.

On Sunday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), allowing the federal government to reimburse up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The grants help cover expenses including equipment, personnel, supplies, field camps, and firefighting operations but do not compensate homeowners or businesses for property losses.

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Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), whose district includes Spokane, said he also briefed Homeland Security Secretary Mullin on the unfolding emergency and expects bipartisan support for additional federal disaster aid.

Ferguson activated 110 Washington National Guard members Friday to assist local responders, supplementing 27 Guard helicopter crew members already supporting aerial firefighting operations. The Guard said soldiers and airmen have been providing traffic control, emergency support, and hand crews while aviation units have dropped 1,089 helicopter buckets containing more than 923,000 gallons of water during 137 flight hours.

The governor's emergency proclamation also authorizes additional National Guard activations if conditions worsen.

The Washington State Fire Marshal's Office has mobilized 13 firefighting task forces statewide, with crews assigned to the Sinlahekin Fire in Okanogan County, Bradeen Hill Fire in Stevens County, Kaiser Canyon Fire, Little Giant Fire in Chelan County, and additional resources staged in Kittitas County.

Separate emergency mobilizations were authorized Saturday for the Fairview Fire near Mead, the Autumn Fire near Nine Mile Falls, and the Red Sky Fire near Union Gap in Yakima County after local fire agencies requested state assistance as the fires overwhelmed local resources.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray has been elevated to its highest activation level to coordinate the statewide response.

Meanwhile, California Interagency Incident Management Team 7 assumed command of the Spokane-area fires Sunday as officials designated them the nation's top wildfire suppression priority.

More than 900 firefighters from local, state, and federal agencies are now battling the Spokane-area fires. "There is not a fire department in the U.S. that can handle a wind-driven event this size," Assistant Spokane Fire Chief Lance Dahl said during a weekend briefing. "There's not enough staffing; there's not enough people."

Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove warned firefighters are already stretched thin after one of the busiest starts to a wildfire season on record. "Any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire," Upthegrove said. "I'm urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark."