Washington wildfires destroy homes, force thousands to evacuate

National Washington wildfires destroy homes, force thousands to evacuate August 3, 202610:28 AM ET By  Scott Neuman Allen Sather and his wife Kimberley embrace at the duplex they rent on W. Indian Trail Rd. after it burned in a wildfire in Spokane, Wash., Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. Young Kwak/AP hide caption toggle caption Young Kwak/AP Cooler temperatures forecasted in the Spokane, Wash. area could help firefighters in the region who are battling three major wildfires that have burned through more than 7,000 acres, destroyed some 600 homes and forced the evacuation of around 60,000 people. The cause of the fires is unknown, but have been fueled by high winds and hot, dry weather. Local and out-of-state firefighters have been working to contain the blazes. There have been no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. The fires are among dozens burning throughout the Western U.S. Speaking to NPR's Morning Edition, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said nearly half of the city's neighborhoods have either been evacuated or are at risk as the fire that has engulfed about 12 square miles has yet to be contained. Sponsor Message "A very large geography has been labeled Level 3, which means get out immediately," Brown told NPR Monday morning. "We've had fires before, but just not to this magnitude." The Old Trails Fire, the largest that is burning northwest of Spokane, encompasses more than 3,600 acres, according to the state's Department of Natural Resources. The Autumn Lane Fire and the Fairview Fire were also threatening Spokane, Washington's second-largest city with a population of more than 230,000. The cooler temperatures could help aid firefighters, but so far, they have not made much progress, Brown said. "I'm sorry to report that the winds have shifted and the fires are not contained up to this point." Brown said few in the state are surprised by wildfires. "We have known for years of the dangers of the changing climate and have been working to reduce the risk. But this is a...