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The North Rim of the Grand Canyon closed on June 12, 2020 due to extreme behavior of a blaze burning in the forests north of the park. According to Grand Canyon National Park Service, Highway 89A between Bitter Springs and Fredonia and parts of SR 67 were also closed. According to local media, resid
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Old Trails Fire Spurs Spokane Level 3 Evacuations As Washington Wildfire Emergency Expands

Written by TNNBot on

The Old Trails Fire erupted Saturday afternoon, Aug. 1, 2026, and prompted Level 3 evacuation orders across large parts of Spokane as it threatened thousands of structures.[1]

Three fast-moving fires — Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane — were burning in and around Spokane, with Old Trails posing the biggest threat.[1] The Watch Duty app showed Old Trails had burned more than 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources said it could threaten up to 5,000 structures.[1] The city opened the Spokane Convention Center as a shelter for displaced residents, and the Washington National Guard mobilized 30 members late Saturday night to assist authorities.[1] Avista's live outage map showed almost 11,000 customers without power at 6 a.m. Sunday, including more than 8,000 in Spokane County.[1]

On Saturday, Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a statewide burn ban covering most outdoor fires because of a record-setting drought and high winds.[1] Maps showed dozens of fires burning across Washington as firefighters battled 10 large fires statewide, and the DNR said more than 1,000 fires in 2026 had burned about 425,000 acres.[1]

CBS News also reported the fast-moving blaze and the sweeping evacuation orders affecting Spokane residents.[2]

  1. NPR
  2. CBS News
Wildfires and Extreme Weather Public Safety Wildfires and Disasters Washington State
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)

📌 Key Facts

  • Three fast-moving fires — Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane — were burning in and around Spokane as of early Sunday, August 2, 2026, with the Old Trails Fire posing the biggest threat.
  • The Watch Duty app reported the Old Trails Fire started Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2026, and had burned more than 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning, August 2, 2026.
  • Large areas of Spokane were placed under Level 3 evacuation orders instructing residents to “Leave NOW! This may be your only notice.”
  • Late Saturday night, August 1, 2026, the Washington National Guard mobilized 30 members to assist Spokane authorities with emerging needs related to the fires.
  • The Washington Department of Natural Resources warned the Old Trails Fire in Riverside State Park was threatening up to 5,000 structures.
  • The Spokane convention center was opened by the city as a shelter for people displaced by the wildfires.
  • Maps in the report showed dozens of fires burning across Washington, and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said firefighters were battling 10 large fires statewide on Saturday.
  • Gov. Bob Ferguson on Saturday, August 1, 2026, declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a statewide burn ban covering most outdoor fires because of a record-setting drought and high winds.
  • Avista Utilities’ live outage map showed almost 11,000 customers without power at 6 a.m. Sunday, August 2, 2026, including more than 8,000 in Spokane County.
  • The Washington Department of Natural Resources reported that more than 1,000 fires in 2026 had burned about 425,000 acres statewide — the most since 2021 — with officials warning, “we just started August.”

📰 Source Timeline (2)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

August 02, 2026
1:35 PM
Thousands of people under evacuation order from wildfires in Spokane, Wash.
NPR by Robbie Griffiths
New information:
  • As of early Sunday, August 2, 2026, three fast-moving fires — Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane — were burning in and around Spokane, Washington, with Old Trails posing the biggest threat.
  • Old Trails Fire started Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2026, and had burned more than 3,500 acres by early Sunday morning, according to the Watch Duty app.
  • Large areas of Spokane are under Level 3 evacuation orders that instruct residents to 'Leave NOW! This may be your only notice.'
  • Late Saturday night, August 1, 2026, the Washington National Guard mobilized 30 members to assist Spokane authorities with emerging needs related to the fires.
  • A Washington Department of Natural Resources spokesperson told CNN overnight that Old Trails Fire in Riverside State Park is threatening up to 5,000 structures.
  • The city of Spokane opened its convention center as a shelter for people displaced by the wildfires.
  • Maps referenced in the article indicate dozens of fires burning across Washington as of Sunday morning, with Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove saying firefighters were battling 10 large fires statewide on Saturday.
  • Gov. Bob Ferguson on Saturday, August 1, 2026, not only declared a statewide wildfire emergency but also issued a statewide burn ban covering most outdoor fires because of a record-setting drought and high winds.
  • Avista Utilities’ live outage map showed almost 11,000 customers without power at 6 a.m. Sunday, August 2, 2026, including more than 8,000 in Spokane County.
  • The Washington Department of Natural Resources reported that more than 1,000 fires in 2026 have already burned about 425,000 acres statewide, the most since 2021, with officials warning that 'we just started August.'
1:04 PM
Fast-moving wildfire in Washington state prompts evacuations
CBS News