Spokane wildfires subside, allowing thousands of evacuees to return home
Firefighters have contained the Spokane-area blazes, letting many of the tens of thousands displaced begin to go back to their houses.
Nearly 1,700 firefighters succeeded in stopping the advance of three wildfires that erupted near Spokane, Washington, on August 1, scorching roughly 10,000 acres and destroying or heavily damaging more than 900 residences. At the peak of the emergency, as many as 64,000 people were ordered to evacuate, but no serious injuries or fatalities have been confirmed. Over the weekend, dry, windy conditions persisted, yet fire crews managed to protect additional structures and keep the flames from spreading further.
On Sunday, authorities reopened roads and rescinded evacuation orders for outlying communities, allowing displaced residents to return, while the most heavily impacted neighborhoods stay closed until conditions are deemed safe. Sheriff John Nowels acknowledged the prolonged displacement and uncertainty many homeowners face. The cause of the fires remains under investigation, with Aaron Farinacci arrested and charged with arson and ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment.
Why it matters
The containment of the Spokane wildfires lets thousands return home and highlights ongoing fire-risk challenges in the western U.S.
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