Thousands Put Under Evacuation Orders In Spokane Area As Wildfires Spread

Thousands of people in eastern Washington are under evacuation orders after a series of wildfires broke out on Saturday, spreading rapidly in Spokane County as forecasters predict "very dry conditions" and breezy winds that could potentially exacerbate ongoing blazes. Thousands of people in Spokane County were placed under "Level 3" evacuation orders to "leave now," which were still in place on Sunday, according to the county's evacuation map. At least three major fires are burning near Spokane with 0% containment, according to government data: the Fairview Fire northeast of the city, the Autumn Lane Fire and the Old Trails Fire, both located roughly northwest of the city. The three fires have burned an estimated 5,390 acres in the area so far, Courtney James, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, told Forbes. Other officials have estimated more than 600 structures have been destroyed, multiple outlets reported, although it is unclear how many were homes.