Fast-moving wildfires in Spokane, Washington, destroy hundreds of homes: "Worst natural disaster our region has faced"

Fast-moving wildfires in Spokane, Washington, destroy hundreds of homes: "Worst natural disaster our region has faced".

Fast-moving wildfires driven by strong winds and soaring temperatures destroyed more than 600 homes, businesses and other buildings. About 60,000 people had to evacuate.

"We know we have more than 600 structures that have been destroyed," Spokane County officials said.

"There was no containment reported by fire officials."

Some 12 square miles of terrain had been burned as of Sunday evening around Spokane, Washington's second-largest city.

"No deaths have yet been reported from the fires in the Spokane area," but "we are still assessing the potential for lives to be lost."

"The cause of the blaze is under investigation."

"Forward progress of the Fairview Fire had stopped as of Sunday night."

Officials described the fires as the "worst natural disaster our region has faced."

"There are just so many Washingtonians who have literally lost everything in a very, very short period of time."