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Wind-driven wildfire prompts evacuations in eastern Washington
Firefighters reported zero containment as winds and high temperatures pushed the blaze toward homes and critical facilities, officials said.
- On Saturday, August 1, the Old Trails Fire ignited northwest of Spokane and jumped the Spokane River, prompting mandatory Level 3 'Leave Now' evacuation orders that forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.
- Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency Saturday after the National Weather Service issued a 'particularly dangerous situation' red flag alert for Eastern Washington amid extreme heat and historically strong winds.
- The fast-moving inferno destroyed at least 600 structures while Avista Utilities implemented preemptive shutoffs, leaving approximately 60,000 customers without electricity; emergency shelters opened at the Spokane Convention Center.
- Firefighting crews from 14 states and an Australian team joined local forces as the Washington National Guard deployed 30 personnel to assist with traffic control and evacuations Saturday night.
- With 0% containment as of Sunday, the Old Trails Fire continues burning amid Washington's fourth consecutive drought year while a statewide burn ban remains in effect through September 30.
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Nearly 1,000 square kilometers have been razed throughout the state. Fire and law enforcement authorities confirmed that so far there are no reports of injuries or missing persons, although they warned that the situation is at an early stage of emergency response.
·Caracas, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
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Morgan County Citizen+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Fires destroy hundreds of structures in Spokane
Wildfires swept into Spokane on Saturday, burning hundreds of buildings in and around Washington’s second-largest city. About 700 structures, including homes, had been destroyed, according to an update Sunday morning from the Washington State Emergency Operations Center. The report said…
·Madison, United States
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Total News Sources221
Leaning Left40Leaning Right44Center95Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Center
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources are Center
53% Center
L 22%
C 53%
R 25%
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