The Old Trails Fire forces mass evacuations in Spokane County as wind-driven flames destroy dozens of homes
The Old Trails Fire has forced thousands of residents in Spokane County, Washington, to evacuate their homes as the blaze grew to over 3,000 acres by Sunday morning. Driven by wind gusts of up to 45 mph, the fire crossed the Spokane River into the city, destroying dozens of structures in the Indian Trail neighborhood and threatening up to 5,000 buildings. Local officials declared a state of emergency as the fire created some of the worst conditions seen in decades. Mayor Lisa Brown and Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels urged residents to follow evacuation orders, noting that many people were still refusing to leave despite life-threatening conditions. The Washington National Guard was mobilized to assist with traffic control and manpower, while an Australian team joined crews from 14 states to help battle the inferno. The fire is part of a historically destructive wildfire season across the United States, fueled by a warming climate and drought. Residents were plunged into darkness by power outages affecting thousands of customers as the fire moved through the city.