Washington state fires destroy hundreds of structures and force Spokane-area residents to evacuate

UNDATED-AP- Light winds and lower temperatures are in the forecast (Aug. 3, 2026) to help firefighters with wildfires in eastern Washington state that have forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area. The fires have destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures. The fires have burned more than 12 square miles around Spokane, the second largest city in Washington, and officials said Sunday that 390 square miles have burned across the state. They’ve been among dozens of fires across the Western U.S. No deaths have yet been reported from the fires in the Spokane area.