A rapidly spreading wildfire has engulfed hundreds of acres in Spokane, Washington, leading to the evacuation of nearly 12,000 residents as firefighting teams work to control the situation. The fire ignited on Beacon Hill around 12:30 PM local time on Tuesday, following reports of smoke, as stated by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Officials noted that the fire escalated quickly, expanding from one acre to ten acres within just half an hour. By 1:45 PM, it had reached 50 acres and continued to move eastward. Less than two hours later, the blaze had grown to 292 acres, with no containment in sight due to strong winds exacerbating the situation. Firefighter Robert Gray from Spokane County Fire District 9 indicated that the incident was swiftly classified as a bushfire response.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the region on Tuesday. Authorities implemented level 3 evacuations—the highest level—requiring immediate departure for residents in parts of the Northwood neighborhood and nearby areas. Over 2,000 structures were evacuated. By Wednesday morning, the DNR reported that evacuation zones had not expanded overnight, and the fire was approximately 10% contained, with over 200 acres affected.
Fire crews estimate that around 500 homes are still at risk, although officials have not yet confirmed any destruction or damage to structures. Roads surrounding the evacuation zone remain closed, and authorities have advised the public against flying drones near the fire, as they can disrupt firefighting operations. The American Red Cross has established an emergency shelter at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church for evacuees, offering food and temporary housing. Additionally, utility provider Avista has cut power to parts of the Indian Trail neighborhood as a precaution due to the fire threat, affecting approximately 1,800 customers. The company warned that power might be unavailable for up to 48 hours if infrastructure is compromised.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Spokane Fire District 9 Chief Brian Mather emphasized the necessity of adhering to evacuation orders. He stated, "Our teams are working hard to protect your homes. Stay out of the area. Please don't come back, that makes it very challenging for our crews." Mather also noted that wind-driven fires can spread rapidly and are particularly challenging to combat, especially in densely populated regions with abundant vegetation. Officials anticipate that the fire will remain active for several days, with between 10 and 15 aircraft deployed to support firefighting efforts, and additional resources expected to arrive soon.
