Three Spokane Area Fires Drive Widespread Evacuations as Arson Probe Unfolds
Three major wildfires in the Spokane area — Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview — have burned thousands of acres, prompted widespread evacuations, and drawn nearly 2,000 firefighters from 176 jurisdictions. As of Aug. 7, containment ranges from 5% to 13% across the fires (Old Trails and Autumn Lane about 13% containment; Fairview 5%), with roughly 10,436 total acres burned and hundreds of structures damaged. Evacuations remain in effect at multiple levels, a Red Flag Warning and air-quality alert persist due to wind and smoke, and investigators say an arson suspect linked to the Old Trails Fire has confessed to planning the blaze. Local agencies provide evacuation maps and resources for affected residents.