Raging wildfires continue to threaten communities, worsen air quality as heat moves in with no relief in sight
Fire officials said the Autumn Lane Fire remains their top priority, while nearly 65,000 people have been forced to evacuate since the Spokane Complex fires erupted.
Communities remain threatened as raging wildfires burn in Washington at zero containment
The Spokane Complex fires continue to burn with zero containment, threatening communities and critical power infrastructure while degrading air quality. FOX Weather Meteorologist Melanie Black breaks down the latest on the ongoing wildfire emergency impacting the Pacific Northwest:
SPOKANE, Washington - Three major fires continue to burn around the Spokane, Washington, area, with more than 10,500 acres burned, zero containment, and more than 700 structures destroyed amid an ongoing wildfire emergency in the Pacific Northwest.
The Autumn Lane Fire has crossed the Spokane River into the Indian Trail neighborhood, while the Old Trails Fire continues to spread northwest of the city, threatening homes, nearby communities and water systems in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Fairview Fire is burning northeast of Spokane and is threatening both neighborhoods and critical power infrastructure.
On a positive note, winds have drastically eased and will continue to weaken as an area of high pressure remains in place into Wednesday.
However, temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-90s Wednesday and Thursday, with parts of Washington potentially topping 100 degrees. No rain is expected in the extended forecast over the next 10 days, limiting relief for crews battling the fires.
While the high pressure is helping reduce winds, it is also trapping smoke near the ground, creating hazardous air quality conditions.
(FOX Weather)
By Friday, winds are expected to pick back up, with gusts of 20 to 30 mph possible around Spokane.
This could lead to an elevated fire weather risk for the region on Friday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Authorities confirmed that they have a 37-year-old suspect in custody in connection to the devastating fires.
STATE OF EMERGENCY ISSUED IN WASHINGTON AS DANGEROUS WILDFIRES SPREAD ACROSS THE NORTHWEST
Fire officials said the Autumn Lane Fire remains their top priority, while nearly 65,000 people have been forced to evacuate since the Spokane Complex fires erupted.
The Spokane Valley Fire Department said it had 72 firefighters on duty Monday — the highest staffing level for a single day in the department's history — as crews continue battling the devastating Spokane Complex fires.
This also marks one of the most destructive blazes in the state’s history.
Firefighters respond to wildfire near Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 2, 2026.
(South Pend Oreille Fire Rescue / FOX Weather)
A historic wildfire season is already gripping the Pacific Northwest, where more than two million acres have burned.
Over the weekend, strong winds, very dry vegetation, and rugged terrain fueled extreme wildfire conditions across the Spokane area.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONTROLLED AND CONTAINED FIRE?
Three major wildfires are burning along Spokane's western and northwestern flank as flames push toward neighborhoods on the edge of Washington's second-largest city.
Large flames burn alongside road in Spokane, Washington
🔥 RAGING WILDFIRE: Large flames burn alongside a road in Spokane, Washington, as massive wildfires continue to spread across the region. Officials say more than 600 structures have been destroyed so far.
The conditions on Saturday prompted the first Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Fire Weather Warning across parts of central and eastern Washington.
In the afternoon, officials transferred patients needing continued care to local hospitals, while over two dozen patients were relocated to shelters under VA staff supervision. The campus remains closed until further notice.
(FOX Weather)
More than 10,500 acres have burned between the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires, with both the first two at 13% containment and Fairview at 5% contained, as fire crews from across the country continue to assist.
WHAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR EVACUATION 'GO' BAG DURING WILDFIRE SEASON
Gov. Bob Ferguson has declared a state of emergency and issued a burn ban through Sept. 30. Officials said Washington has already seen more than 1,000 fires burn about 425,000 acres this year, with more than 200,000 acres actively burning in 12 large fires.
An otherworldly scene in Spokane, Washington, as wildfires rage on Aug. 2, 2026.
(South Pend Oreille Fire Rescue)
Spokane County has also declared its own state of emergency to aid in timely response efforts.
The Washington National Guard has mobilized troops to assist with evacuations, traffic control and firefighting support.
SEE IT: WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS LEAP FROM 3,000 FEET IN THE AIR TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRES
The Old Trails Fire spans more than 3,600 acres, and the blaze continues to burn near the outskirts of the city.
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As thousands underwent mass evacuations, residents across the area were ordered to leave immediately. Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders remained in place for parts of northwest Spokane, Riverside State Park, the West Plains and surrounding communities.
Three wildfires are burning in Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 2, 2026.
(Watch Duty / LiveNOW from FOX)
The other two wildfires burning in the Spokane area are the Fairview Fire and the Autumn Lane Fire. They've burned around 1,000 and over 5,800 acres, respectively.
Sporting events at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex were indefinitely suspended. Video shows flames encroaching on the sports complex, where an annual volleyball event was underway and ultimately evacuated.
Wildfire engulfs Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane
Video out of Spokane, Washington, shows the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex engulfed in flames as an intense and dangerous wildfire continues to spread across the region.
Spokane's Gonzaga University has opened dorm rooms for displaced employees.
The Spokane Humane Society successfully evacuated all the animals in their care and they are safe.
Fire departments from across the region are assisting with wildfire response efforts, utilizing brush trucks and providing additional personnel, as firefighting resources are stretched thin with multiple large fires burning at the same time.
SURVIVAL EXPERT OFFERS TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRES
Officials said there are no reports of firefighter injuries and, as far as civilians, that’s still to be determined.
Wildfire smoke seen from behind Spokane Falls Community College on Aug. 2, 2026.
(Mary Minton)
Smoke from the fires has become so dense that the City of Spokane is warning residents to avoid driving unless evacuating, saying visibility could rapidly deteriorate as winds shift.
Authorities are asking residents to follow all evacuation orders as soon as possible, avoid activities that could spark new fires and stay away from fire zones and evacuation routes.
They also said residents should rely on official emergency management sources for updates as conditions continue changing rapidly.