Wildfires Destroy Hundreds of Structures in Washington State
(Bloomberg) -- Hundreds of structures have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, as wildfires rip through eastern Washington state in
(Bloomberg) -- Hundreds of structures have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, as wildfires rip through eastern Washington state in what Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown called “the worst natural disaster our region has faced.” As of about 2 p.m. New York time Sunday, the Old Trails incident had consumed 3,619 acres, the Fairview fire had grown to 1,056 acres, and the Autumn Lane fire had expanded to 3,351 acres, the Washington Department of Natural Resources said on its website. Over 10,000 residences have been evacuated, Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall said at an emergency press conference Sunday. More than 60,000 people were evacuated in Spokane, a metropolitan area of about 600,000 residents. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What areas are affected by the wildfires in Washington State? ⌵ The wildfires are primarily affecting eastern Washington, with significant impacts noted in Spokane and surrounding areas where evacuation orders have been issued. 2 Why have residents been evacuated due to the wildfires in Washington State? ⌵ Residents have been evacuated to protect them from life-threatening conditions caused by rapidly spreading wildfires, fueled by stiff, dry winds. 3 How much land have the wildfires in Washington State consumed? ⌵ The wildfires in Washington State have consumed thousands of acres, including specific incidents like the Old Trails fire at 3,619 acres and the Fairview fire at 1,056 acres.
4 What emergency measures have been implemented in response to the wildfires in Washington State? ⌵ Emergency measures include the establishment of emergency centers for evacuees and a statewide emergency declaration along with an outdoor burn ban due to extreme fire conditions. 5 Should residents in Spokane area be concerned about air quality due to wildfires? ⌵ Yes, residents should be concerned as plumes of acrid smoke from the wildfires have caused air quality alerts throughout Spokane and surrounding areas. “There are so many Washingtonians that have lost everything in a very, very short period of time,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said during the Sunday press conference. “Just in a matter of hours, their lives changed in deeply traumatic and fundamental ways, and so it’s difficult to find words when folks have experienced a loss like that.” There are no reported serious injuries or fatalities, as of 5 p.m. New York time Sunday, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said at Sunday’s press conference. Ferguson said he spoke with President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin after requesting an emergency declaration to access federal funding. “The president was very gracious, as was Secretary Mullin,” said the governor, who talked more extensively with the DHS Secretary to request short- and long-term Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. Emergency centers were set up at the Spokane Convention Center and at the local fairgrounds on Saturday night to handle residents with recreational vehicles and those who took their animals and pets with them, according to the city.
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