Washington wildfires raze Spokane neighborhoods, displace thousands and leave ash-filled streets

Over the weekend, intense wildfires ignited across a dry landscape in eastern Washington, scorching roughly 32 square kilometres near Spokane and contributing to a state total of about 1,000 square kilometres burned. The flames reduced approximately 700 homes and other structures to rubble, prompting evacuation orders for roughly 67,000 people. Residents who returned, including 76-year-old Miriam and Daniel Sim, described the scene as a war zone with only chimneys remaining, while the Deatherage family found their long-time home reduced to ash.

Spokane County officials cleared most missing-person reports, leaving only a handful unresolved, and declared the fires uncontained. The county converted its main convention centre into a shelter for about 400 evacuees, and Spokane Public Schools opened a free drop-in camp for children, while air-quality advisories were issued across the Pacific Northwest.