Around 60,000 people have left their homes in several areas of Washington state as powerful wildfires spread through the outskirts of Spokane.
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The situation remains out of control. The flames have destroyed approximately 600 buildings and cut power to more than 10,000 customers. In response to the scale of the damage, authorities have declared a state of emergency.
Three major fires were still burning near Spokane on Monday. Mayor Lisa Brown described the event as “the worst natural disaster the region has experienced.” She said teams were working to assess the damage and that the possibility of casualties could not be ruled out, although no deaths or injuries have been reported so far.
The state Department of Natural Resources said the fires near Spokane are among more than a dozen active fires across Washington, 10 of which are considered large fires.
Over the weekend, the National Weather Service warned of “extremely critical” conditions that could fuel the spread of the flames. Strong winds and extremely dry weather have contributed to the fires’ rapid advance.
Footage from Spokane shows thick clouds of smoke and flames near residential areas. Meanwhile, helicopters and firefighting crews are continuing their efforts to contain and bring the fires under control.
In addition to the damaged buildings, more than 10,000 Avista Utilities customers have been left without electricity.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and requested federal assistance following a conversation with United States President Donald Trump.
Lisa Brown urged residents to exercise caution and comply with evacuation orders. The mayor also stressed that the community needs additional support, particularly with shelter and basic supplies for displaced people.
