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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 3, 2026Miami-Dade

Spokane-area wildfires destroy 700 buildings and force 67,000 residents to evacuate

Wildfires in eastern Washington have destroyed at least 700 buildings and triggered evacuation orders for approximately 67,000 people. The state's congressional delegation has requested an expedited emergency declaration from the President as firefighting crews work to contain the uncontained blazes.

wildfiresemergency managementevacuationsdisaster reliefpublic safety
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Why It Matters

Residents face the loss of homes and property, while thousands remain displaced under mandatory evacuation orders as local and state agencies manage the ongoing emergency.

Key Facts

  • Approximately 700 buildings have been destroyed in the Spokane area.
  • 67,000 people are under evacuation orders.
  • The fires have burned about 12.5 square miles in the Spokane area.
  • A total of 390 square miles have burned across Washington state.
  • Spokane County Sheriff’s Office cleared all but 14 of 300 initial missing persons reports.
  • A shelter for 400 people has been established at the Spokane convention center.
  • Spokane Public Schools opened a free emergency drop-in camp for children.
  • County court trials have been postponed until Aug. 10.
  • Authorities have warned against flying drones near burned areas to avoid interfering with aerial firefighting.
  • Fires in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah are also growing, threatening hundreds of additional homes.

Who's Mentioned

personDaniel Sim“Resident whose home was destroyed”personCourtney James“Washington State Department of Natural Resources spokesperson”personKaren Faggioli“Resident whose home was destroyed”organizationSpokane County Sheriff’s Office“Handling missing persons reports”organizationWashington State Department of Natural Resources“Managing firefighting efforts”personAngela Deatherage“Resident whose home was destroyed”personMiriam Sim“Resident whose home was destroyed”personWayde Deatherage“Resident whose home was destroyed”locationSpokane“City affected by wildfires”personMark Gregory“Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson”personDonald Trump“President of the United States requested to issue emergency declaration”