Fast-moving Old Trails Fire burns nearly 3,000 acres, threatens thousands of buildings; strong winds and low humidity worsen crisis
Washington DC (US), August 2, 2026, BNN Web Staff: Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency and imposed a burn ban as a major wildfire crisis continues to affect parts of the state, with multiple active fires spreading rapidly amid strong winds and extremely dry conditions.
The emergency declaration came after the National Weather Service issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag Warning for central and eastern Washington. Officials said it was the first time such an alert had been issued in the state, highlighting the severity of the fire weather conditions.
Strong winds and low humidity have created an environment in which new fires could spread rapidly and become difficult to contain. The Washington Department of Natural Resources warned that heavy smoke and high winds could also restrict aerial firefighting operations and increase risks for personnel working on the ground.
The rapidly spreading Old Trails Fire in Spokane County remains at the centre of the emergency. The blaze has burned nearly 3,000 acres and is threatening around 4,000 buildings, prompting large-scale evacuations in several areas.
Authorities issued mandatory Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders for multiple Spokane neighbourhoods and opened an emergency shelter at a local community college for displaced residents.
Governor Ferguson said he would visit Spokane to assess the damage and review the emergency response.
“I’ll be heading to Spokane Sunday morning to meet with responders and monitor the emergency response,” the governor said in a post on X. He urged residents in affected areas to remain alert and follow instructions issued by emergency personnel.
Washington National Guard Major General Gent Welsh described the situation as highly dangerous and complex, warning that the full extent of the destruction could become clearer after daylight.
The fire has also moved towards Riverside State Park and led to emergency evacuations at several key facilities, including a veterans’ hospital, a water reclamation plant and a waste-to-energy facility.
Meanwhile, the Fairview Fire has added to evacuation pressures in Spokane County. The National Weather Service also issued a rare county-level Fire Warning as wildfire conditions continued to deteriorate.
The crisis has disrupted essential services in several affected areas. Avista Utilities reported at least 25 active power outages, leaving nearly 13,400 customers without electricity following emergency shut-offs. Internet monitoring organisation NetBlocks also reported widespread connectivity disruptions in fire-hit areas.
The Washington National Guard has deployed personnel to support evacuation and emergency operations, including traffic management. An initial team of 30 personnel has been made available, with additional forces on standby.
Across Washington, firefighters are battling 10 major active wildfires that have collectively spread across more than 200,000 acres. Fire crews from 14 US states, along with an incoming firefighting team from Australia, have joined local responders as authorities work to contain the rapidly expanding fires.
