Dozens of Washington Wildfires Prompt Level 3 ‘GO Leave Now’ Mass Evacuations

SPOKANE, WA. (THECOUNT) — Thousands of residents in and around Spokane were ordered to evacuate as multiple fast-moving wildfires swept across eastern Washington over the weekend, prompting a statewide emergency declaration and deployment of the Washington National Guard.

Spokane, the second-largest city in Washington, is located in the eastern portion of the state near the Idaho border. Authorities said the largest and most dangerous blaze, the Old Trails Fire, ignited Saturday afternoon and quickly expanded to more than 3,500 acres amid strong winds, extremely dry conditions and low humidity.

Officials issued Level 3 evacuation orders for portions of the Spokane area, instructing residents to leave immediately. Emergency managers warned the order could be the only notice some residents receive as flames advanced rapidly through threatened neighborhoods.

The Old Trails Fire, burning in and around Riverside State Park northwest of Spokane, was reported to be threatening as many as 5,000 structures overnight, according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Two additional fires, identified as the Fairview Fire and Autumn Lane Fire, also continued burning as firefighters battled multiple fronts across the region.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency Saturday, citing record drought conditions and dangerous winds fueling fire growth across the state. Ferguson announced plans to travel to Spokane on Sunday while urging residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions issued by emergency officials.

The Washington National Guard announced late Saturday that approximately 30 Guard members were being mobilized to assist local authorities with emergency operations as conditions continued to deteriorate.

The City of Spokane opened its convention center as an emergency shelter for evacuees forced from their homes. Utility outages also spread across the region, with nearly 11,000 Avista customers without electricity Sunday morning, including more than 8,000 in Spokane County.

State officials said firefighters are currently battling at least 10 major wildfires statewide. More than 1,000 fires have burned roughly 425,000 acres across Washington so far this year, making 2026 one of the state’s busiest wildfire seasons since 2021.

Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove warned that firefighting resources are already heavily committed as forecasts continue to call for hot, dry and windy conditions. He urged residents to avoid any activity capable of igniting new fires.

In response to the worsening drought, Gov. Ferguson also implemented a statewide burn ban prohibiting most outdoor burning, including debris fires, bonfires and many campfires. Officials said the restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of additional human-caused wildfires during what has become one of Washington’s most dangerous fire seasons in recent years.

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