Spokane County Declares State of Emergency as Regional Wildfires Burn

Spokane County commissioners declared a State of Emergency to empower rapid wildfire response, allowing the Sheriff and Emergency Management Deputy Director to bypass standard procurement. Evacuation shelters opened as the Spokane Complex Fire grew to about 3,500 acres north of Airway Heights, with officials estimating roughly 640 structures lost; state fire assistance has been mobilized to help combat the Autumn Fire near Nine Mile.