The Old Trails Fire erupted in northwest Spokane on Saturday, initiating in brush and grass in an open area around midday before advancing swiftly toward residential neighborhoods. Driven by powerful winds and elevated temperatures, the fire spread north and east across the region, eventually crossing the Spokane River and forcing thousands of people to abandon their homes.
By the evening, the wildfire had consumed approximately 4 square miles of terrain, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Some structures were destroyed during the fire’s progression, though officials had not yet compiled a comprehensive damage assessment. Firefighters reported achieving zero containment of the blaze as of that evening, with ongoing wind conditions hampering suppression efforts. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Local authorities urged residents to comply with evacuation orders and remain vigilant regarding rapidly changing conditions. The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag alert for the eastern Washington region, reflecting the heightened fire danger. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency on Saturday in response to the combination of record-setting wildfires across the state driven by unusually high temperatures and strong wind conditions.
Avista, the local power provider, enacted public safety power shutoffs in the affected area as a precautionary measure given the elevated risk environment. Orange and red flames were visible from highways in the region, and smoke plumes extended across the broader area as firefighting operations commenced.
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