Old Trails Fire Explodes to 3,500 Acres, Tears Into Spokane Homes

A fast-moving wildfire tore through the outskirts of Spokane over the weekend, destroying multiple homes and forcing residents to flee under Level 3 "go now" evacuation orders. The Old Trails Fire ignited around noon Saturday north of Airway Heights and rapidly grew to more than 3,500 acres, pushing directly into populated areas of the city. Evacuation zones now extend up to Rutter Parkway, and while officials have confirmed significant property damage, no fatalities have been reported as of this writing. Firefighters continue to battle scattered spot fires as crews work to establish containment lines around the blaze.

Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency on August 1, citing record drought conditions, sustained high winds, and extreme heat that have combined to create dangerous fire behavior across Washington. As part of the declaration, a burn ban has been imposed statewide through September 30 in an effort to prevent additional fires from sparking during the ongoing dry spell. The Washington National Guard has been mobilized to support firefighting efforts in Spokane, adding personnel and equipment to the response as local and state resources work together to protect homes and infrastructure in the fire's path.

Senator Patty Murray has pledged full federal resources to support firefighters on the ground, underscoring the scale of the response effort underway. For residents who have already lost homes, the coming days will bring the difficult work of assessing damage and beginning to rebuild, even as the fire remains active nearby. Emergency officials are urging anyone in or near evacuation zones to follow official guidance closely and to leave promptly if ordered, as shifting winds and dry conditions could cause the fire's behavior to change quickly.