A fast-moving wildfire tore through northwest Spokane over the weekend, destroying at least 640 structures and forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes in what officials are calling one of the most destructive wildland fires in Washington state history.

Fire Origins and Rapid Spread

The Old Trails Fire ignited Saturday afternoon near the intersection of Old Trails Road and Euclid Road in western Spokane County. Driven by powerful winds from an approaching dry cold front — with gusts exceeding 45 mph — the fire exploded in size, reaching more than 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning. The blaze swept through the Indian Trail and Five Mile Prairie neighborhoods, incinerating entire blocks of homes before crews could mount an effective defense.

Spokane County Fire District 3 confirmed the 640-structure loss, with officials cautioning that they were still assessing the potential for lives to be lost. As of Monday morning, no confirmed fatalities had been reported. The cause of the fire has not been officially determined.

Evacuations and Emergency Declarations

Swaths of north and northwest Spokane remain under Level 3 Go Now evacuation orders — the highest level, meaning residents must leave immediately. Additional Level 2 Be Ready and Level 1 Be Aware zones extend outward from the fire perimeter. The fire also threatened Riverside State Park and forced evacuation of the city's veterans' hospital, water reclamation facility, and waste energy plant.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a State of Emergency for Spokane County, activated 110 members of the Washington National Guard, and imposed a statewide burn ban running through September 30, 2026.

Critical Infrastructure at Risk

The Old Trails Fire is one of three large fires burning in and around the Spokane metropolitan area simultaneously. The convergence of multiple fires near a major urban center has placed extraordinary strain on regional firefighting resources and emergency services. Evacuation shelters have been opened for displaced residents.

State officials emphasized the unprecedented nature of the event. Washington Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove stated: This is an extraordinary fire season. This is not normal; this is unusual.

What to Do Now

  • Monitor Spokane County Emergency Management for real-time evacuation zone updates
  • If under Level 3 evacuation: leave immediately, do not wait
  • Evacuation shelters are open — check local news and county emergency websites for locations
  • Keep N95 or equivalent masks on hand due to extremely poor air quality across eastern Washington
  • Check on neighbors, especially elderly residents who may need assistance evacuating

The National Weather Service and emergency managers warn that fire conditions remain dangerous through Monday, and residents in warned areas should be prepared to evacuate immediately if a new fire breaks out near them.