Large numbers of residents in Spokane, Washington, faced urgent evacuation orders on Sunday, August 1, 2026, as fast-moving wildfires driven by strong winds and low humidity threatened thousands of structures across the region. The largest threat emerged from the Old Trails Fire, which began on Saturday afternoon and burned over 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning, according to the Watch Duty app. Swaths of Spokane were placed under Level 3 evacuation orders, carrying the urgent warning: “Leave NOW! This may be your only notice.”
Statewide Emergency Declaration and Threat to Structures
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency on Saturday in response to the dangerous conditions fueled by a record-setting statewide drought and high winds. Late Saturday night, the Washington National Guard mobilized to assist local first responders, making 30 members available to Spokane authorities for emerging needs. The Old Trails Fire burned at Riverside State Park, located to the northwest of Spokane. Jessica Walston, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, told CNN overnight that the fire was threatening up to 5,000 structures. To shelter displaced residents, the city of Spokane opened its convention center.
Statewide Fire Activity and Power Outages
Maps showed dozens of fires burning across Washington state as of Sunday morning, with Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove reporting that firefighters were tackling 10 large fires across the state on Saturday. Alongside the Old Trails Fire, two other fast-moving blazes named the Fairview and Autumn Lane fires drove the emergency response. The fires and severe weather also caused widespread power outages. According to a live map from U.S. energy company Avista Utilities, almost 11,000 customers were affected as of 6 a.m. local time on Sunday, with over 8,000 of those outages occurring in Spokane County alone.
Did You Know? So far in 2026, more than 1,000 fires have burned approximately 425,000 acres in Washington state, the most since 2021, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Statewide Burn Ban Restrictions
In response to the extreme fire danger, Gov. Ferguson issued a statewide burn ban on Saturday. The directive prohibits most outdoor fires, including those set for trash disposal, yard debris, land clearing, bonfires, and campfires not contained within designated structures like fire rings. “Our record-setting drought and high winds are creating dangerous conditions across the state,” Ferguson said. Dave Upthegrove echoed these warnings, urging residents to exercise extreme caution: “This year has already been one of our busiest wildfire years on record, and we just started August. Our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state, and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer, any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire. I’m urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Level 3 evacuation order mean for residents?
A Level 3 evacuation order reads: “Leave NOW! This may be your only notice.” Residents under this order are told to urgently evacuate their homes.
Which fires are threatening the Spokane area?
There are three larger and fast-moving fires in and around the city named the Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires, with the biggest threat stemming from the Old Trails Fire.
Where can displaced residents seek shelter?
The city of Spokane has opened its convention center as a shelter for people displaced by the fires.
Are you following local emergency alerts and evacuation notices in your area?
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