The Old Trails Fire is seen from the Centennial Trail near W. College Ave on Satuday (Image: AP Photo/Young Kwak)
An emergency has been declared in the Washington state, as more than 25,000 acres are being ravaged by 12 raging wildfires. Around 60,000 people have been left without power in Washington, as the National Guard and firefighters from more than a dozen states rushed to tackle the blazes.
The US National Weather Service issued a rare “particularly dangerous situation” Red Flag Warning for eastern Washington on Saturday, classifying the wildfire threat as extreme due to a combination of strong winds, hot temperatures, and critically dry conditions that could fuel rapid fire growth and make firefighting efforts more challenging.
Governor Bob Ferguson said: “Our record-setting drought and high winds are creating dangerous conditions across the state.
“I am declaring an emergency to help prevent loss of life and property damage. I encourage all Washingtonians to do their part to protect our state during these extreme conditions.”
Lisa Brown, the mayor of the city of Spokane, said thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes. Officials fear the number is likely to rise in the next few hours, as the wildfires continue to burn.
The blaze threatening the city, the cause of which is still under investigation, is fast-moving, driven by strong winds and high temperatures.
The Old Trails Fire started around noon on Saturday, burning brush and grass in an open area, but quickly spread north and east toward residential areas. Cars lined the roads as people fled their homes, and orange and red flames were visible from the local motorway.
The blaze sent a plume of smoke billowing over the region, and as of the evening almost four square miles of terrain had been burned, said Courtney James, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Thousands have been evacuated from Spokane (Image: AP Photo/Young Kwak)
According to the Washington State Emergency Management Division, no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far, however, officials added some of the buildings have been destroyed.
Major General Gent Welsh, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard, said: “When the sun sets and the sun rises in the morning, I think we’re going to be in shock to see some of the scenes that emerged out there.”
Washington is experiencing its fourth consecutive year of drought, the longest statewide drought on record, creating conditions that have fuelled a severe wildfire season.
Wildfires have also affected other parts of the Pacific Northwest, with nearly 34,000 lightning strikes last month sparking multiple fires and prompting evacuation orders across southern British Columbia.