Washington State Fires, State of Emergency Declared

Thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate after a fast-spreading wildfire ripped through Spokane, a city in northwestern Washington state in the United States. Acting Governor Rob Ferguson has declared a state of emergency in the state in response to the dire situation.

More than 80,900 hectares of land in 12 major fire areas in the state are currently burning. Washington is in its fourth consecutive year of drought, the longest drought in the region's history.

Acting Governor Ferguson said that the historic drought, combined with gusty winds, has created dangerous conditions across the state. Under the state of emergency declaration, strict restrictions on open fires and the use of fire for agricultural purposes will remain in effect until the end of September.

Authorities said that although it has only begun in August, 2026 is already on track to become one of the most devastating wildfire seasons on record.

The fire crossed the Spokane River and entered the city on Saturday afternoon (August 1). A large part of the city of Spokane has been placed under a high alert; which means that residents must immediately leave their homes and move to safer places.

The evacuation order is mainly affecting people living in the suburbs. A shelter has already been opened for those who lost their homes.

Washington state, located on the Pacific coast, borders Canada. Neighboring Canada also suffered one of the worst wildfires in history last July. The fires burned about 3 million hectares in the country, which is roughly the size of Belgium.

Anadolu Agency reports.