United States of America

Spokane Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate

Is this fueled by climate change or decades of failed land management?

AUG 3·Updated AUG 5

Spokane Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate

Story

Above: A destroyed residential home in the Balboa neighborhood of Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 2. Image credit: Erick Doxey/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Three wildfires collectively known as the Spokane Complex Fire burned more than 7,700 acres in and around Spokane, Washington, over the weekend, forcing thousands to evacuate and destroying hundreds of structures, including homes and businesses.
The Straits Times
NBC
According to the Washington State Emergency Operations Center, the fires, which include the Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn blazes, have destroyed approximately 700 buildings, with thousands more at risk.
GovDelivery
The report also indicated that over 65,000 people, including residents of a VA hospital, were under evacuation orders due to the Old Trails fire. Additionally, Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notices were issued for 7,400 people because of the Fairview fire and for 16,000 people due to the Autumn fire.
GovDelivery
Spokane County Emergency Management
In response to the outbreak, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency on Saturday, which enacted a prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30, 2026, coinciding with a ban on the sale or discharge of fireworks outside of licensed displays.
Office of the Governor of Washington State
On Sunday, Ferguson revealed that he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to discuss the incident and had filed a request for immediate assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which was approved.
Bob Ferguson on X
City of Spokane on Facebook
Bob Ferguson on X
It comes as Washington battles a record fourth consecutive statewide drought. The conditions have exacerbated the risk of wildfires, with 426,666 acres burned in the year to July 31, 2026, and the Spokane Complex one of 15 major fires burning in the state.
Office of the Governor of Washington State
GovDelivery
Fox 13 - Seattle

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The Spin

Climate activist narrative

The Spokane wildfires are a direct consequence of climate change, and gutting clean energy policy will only make it worse. By rolling back methane regulations and expanding fossil fuel production, the administration is guaranteeing the hotter, drier conditions that make these fires worse every season. To protect communities, it must urgently reverse course and slash emissions.

Los Angeles Times

Jay Inslee on X

Climate-skeptic narrative

Wildfires are roaring through Washington because public lands have been mismanaged for decades by state officials who'd rather blame climate change than own their failed policies. Blaming the weather is a convenient way to dodge accountability for neglecting forest thinning, fuel reduction and controlled burns. It is this poor record — not the climate — that is turning Spokane into ash.

Jim Walsh on X