Firefighters have established containment lines around all three wildfires affecting Spokane, Washington, after cooler weather helped crews begin reinforcing the perimeters. The fires have destroyed about 850 buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate since they erupted last weekend.
Evacuation zones will remain in place because temperatures are expected to rise from the 80sF to the upper 90sF, or about 36C, with lower humidity and breezier conditions later this week. No deaths have been reported, while damage assessment crews continue determining how many homes were lost or damaged.
At a glance:
- Three fires are affecting the Spokane area: the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires.
- About 850 buildings have been destroyed and about 67,000 people evacuated.
- Containment lines have been established around all three fires, but crews are reinforcing them.
- Washington has 16 uncontained wildfires covering more than 672 sq miles (1,740 sq km), according to the state department of natural resources.
Evacuation zones remain in place
Spokane county sheriff John Nowels said on Wednesday that officials would not make major changes to evacuation zones for many more days. He said people would not be allowed to return unless authorities had a high degree of certainty that the fire lines would hold.
Related coverage: Rising wildfires worldwide compel firefighters to prioritize limited resources amid worsening conditions.
Many evacuees remain at a shelter in a Spokane convention center, hotels, rental properties or the homes of friends and relatives. Some do not know when they can return or whether their homes are still standing.
Three fires, with one arson charge
The Old Trails Fire was deliberately set, authorities said, and Aaron F Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, was arrested and charged with arson. Court documents say he was arrested after a resident reported seeing him near where the fire began; he denied starting it when questioned by deputies.
The Autumn Lane and Fairview fires began independently of Old Trails. Investigators said people also started those fires, though not necessarily deliberately, and both remain under investigation.
More context: Major Wildfires Spread Across Wales and England as Officials Warn of Exceptional Fire Danger.
Hotter conditions are approaching
Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90sF late this week, with less humidity and breezier weather. Those conditions are why officials are concentrating on strengthening the containment lines established around the three fires.
The fires are part of a wider strain on firefighting agencies across the western United States. Thomas Kyle-Milward, a spokesperson for Washington’s department of natural resources, said 16 uncontained wildfires were burning more than 672 sq miles (1,740 sq km) in the state and being fought by more than 7,000 personnel.
Questions readers ask
How many people have been evacuated?
About 67,000 people have been forced to evacuate since the fires began last weekend.
Also read: Fourth heatwave of 2024 expected in UK as fire chiefs warn of wildfire risks.
Can evacuees return home yet?
Not generally. Evacuation zones remain in place because officials are reinforcing fire lines and expect hotter, drier and breezier weather.
What caused the three fires?
Authorities charged a man with arson over the Old Trails Fire. The Autumn Lane and Fairview fires were also started by people, investigators said, but their circumstances remain under investigation.
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