Eastern Washington Fires Destroy Hundreds of Structures, Prompt Evacuations

Why it matters locally: While these fires are in Washington, Montana frequently experiences its own wildfire season, and large-scale incidents in neighboring states can strain regional firefighting resources, including federal assets that might otherwise be deployed in Montana.

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Wildfires in Eastern Washington have consumed more than 8.2 square miles of land around Spokane, the state's second-largest city. The fires have destroyed 600 structures and prompted evacuation orders for 5,000 homes. These fires represent a portion of the dozens of active wildfires across the western United States. Their scale has challenged the resources of federal, state, and local agencies involved in firefighting efforts.