Over 600 Spokane structures destroyed, 6,000 evacuated as Washington wildfires near most destructive in state history

Over 600 structures have been destroyed in Spokane, Washington, as 60,000 residents were evacuated late Saturday into Sunday. Local officials gave the update on what they're calling the Spokane Complex Fires at a press conference on Sunday afternoon. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson issued a statewide wildfire emergency and a statewide burn ban in response to the Complex and 17 others burning throughout the state on Saturday. The number of destroyed structures rivals the state's costliest wildfire incident in 2023, when the Oregon and Gray Fires burned down 710 structures. "This year has already been one of our busiest wildfire years on record, and we just started August," Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said. "Our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state, and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer, any new spark on our tinder-dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire. I'm urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark." Three separate fires that constitute the Complex have not merged but are burning within miles of each other, triggering a shared response. The fires, all of which are at 0% containment, and burned area totals as of Sunday evening include: The Old Trails Fire has burned 3,619 acres. The Autumn Lane Fire has burned 3,351 acres. The Fairview Fire has burned 1,056 acres. The extreme fire weather that the region is facing isn't expected to let up any time soon, according to National Weather Service meteorologists. Dry conditions, winds, and elevated temperatures are expected to continue throughout the upcoming week, with conditions intensifying on Friday as winds strengthen to between 30 and 35 mph.