Wildfires in eastern Washington state have forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area and destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses, and other structures, authorities reported on Sunday, August 3rd, 2026. The fires in and around Spokane, the state's second-largest city, burned about 21 square kilometers (8 square miles) over the weekend and are part of dozens of wildfires across the Western United States that have stretched firefighting resources.

Approximately 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) have burned across Washington state, with some fires, including those near Spokane, remaining uncontained. Fire and law enforcement officials stated there have been no reports of injuries or missing persons, though they emphasized it is still early in the response effort.

Videos from the affected area show buildings engulfed in flames, thick black smoke near neighborhoods, and the remains of homes reduced to smoking ruins with only chimneys standing. Officials have expressed concern about continued dry weather in the coming days, which could exacerbate the situation.

Senator Maria Cantwell, speaking at a news conference with federal, state, and local officials in Spokane, said, “We are not out of danger. The next couple of days will be challenging.”

Meanwhile, crews have been battling a separate fire for ten days that has burned nearly 1,360 square kilometers (525 square miles) of grassland in western Idaho and eastern Oregon. Local law enforcement reported that more than 100 cattle have died due to the fires.

Sources