Old Trails Fire Grows to 3,000 Acres in Spokane; Level 3 Evacuations Expand

A fast-moving wildfire near Spokane, Washington has burned nearly 3,000 acres and forced thousands of residents to evacuate under the highest alert level. The Old Trails Fire, which started on August 1, 2026, threatens about 4,000 buildings in the area. Extreme fire weather conditions, including winds gusting up to 50 mph and humidity as low as 15-20%, drove the rapid spread. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency and burn ban.

How the fire spread so fast

The Old Trails Fire started around 1:07 p.m. on August 1 near the intersection of Old Trails Road and West Euclid Road in the Airway Heights area north of Spokane. Strong southwest winds with gusts as high as 40 to 50 mph, combined with relative humidity levels of 15 to 20 percent, created extreme fire behavior. The National Weather Service issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning for the area from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on August 1, marking the first such warning ever issued in Washington state.

Evacuation orders and shelter operations

Level 3 evacuation orders, meaning “Go Now” due to life-threatening conditions, were issued for areas north of Strong Road, south of Francis Avenue, and west of Division Street in Spokane. Evacuation orders were later expanded to include all areas of the city north of Francis Avenue and west of Division Street. An evacuation shelter opened at a community college for residents fleeing their homes. About 4,000 buildings are threatened in the affected areas.

Statewide fire emergency and broader context

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson implemented a statewide state of emergency and burn ban on Saturday morning. More than 200,000 acres are burning from 12 large fires across Washington state, according to the governor’s office. The Old Trails Fire is one of multiple blazes burning in Spokane County, where several thousand homes were under evacuation orders. Washington State Forester George Geissler said at a news conference that the full extent of damage is not yet clear, but officials confirmed the fire is impacting structures.

What residents face ahead

Washington National Guard Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh warned that significant damage assessments will emerge when daylight returns. The rare Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning means new fires can grow out of control rapidly, aircraft response may be limited by wind and smoke, and wildland firefighters face more dangerous conditions. Residents in evacuation zones were urged to leave immediately and monitor emergency management instructions through multiple channels.

Final Thoughts

The Old Trails Fire marks an unprecedented fire weather emergency for Washington state. Residents in evacuation zones must leave immediately and monitor local emergency management for updates. The statewide emergency declaration signals a critical moment for fire response across the region.

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