Key headlines: As of August 3, 2026
Spokane wildfire information to date: Three major wildfires burning near Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County (the Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires) have collectively burned more than 7,000 acres and were reported 0% contained as of Sunday evening, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, as reported on the morning of Monday, August 3.
Critical fire weather: All three fires were discovered on Saturday, August 1, a day when Spokane was under Critical fire weather conditions, the second-most-severe fire weather rating, according to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center (SPC). Adjacent areas of Eastern Washington were under Extremely Critical fire weather conditions on Sunday, SPC’s highest fire weather severity rating.
Initial impact information: Media reports indicate that as of Sunday, 600-700 structures have been destroyed by the fires, although it was unknown how many were primary residences or businesses. On Sunday, Spokane County officials reported zero fatalities or injuries due to the fire, while an estimated 60,000 people have been evacuated.
Fire weather forecast: The weather over the next few days offers a brief window for increased fire suppression. Monday is expected to be sunny and dry, near 80°F with light winds. Heat starts building to the mid-80s Tuesday, low-90s Wednesday, and mid-90s Thursday, with no meaningful rain expected, and Friday flagged as a concern if increasing winds overlap with areas of low fuels moisture or ongoing burning.
Regional outlooks: As of the morning of Monday, August 3, the SPC does not view Monday or Tuesday as possessing any sort of fire weather risk for Spokane, with elevated fire weather conditions present in parts of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains.
Fuels and fire behavior: Winter snowpack in the Pacific Northwest was well below normal. This, combined with higher-than-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation, accelerated drying of fuels in the region, occurring significantly earlier in the summer than usual. Fire activity patterns reflect those usually seen much later in the fire season, and extreme fire behavior is being observed.