Spokane County Wildfire Triggers Level 3 Evacuations as 1st Washington PDS Red Flag Warning Hits
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 1
Spokane County Wildfire Triggers Level 3 Evacuations as 1st Washington PDS Red Flag Warning Hits
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 1
Summary
Level 3 evacuation orders were issued for several Spokane-area communities as the fast-moving Old Trails Fire pushed residents to leave immediately under life-threatening conditions.
Historically strong winds and low humidity drove extreme fire behavior, prompting the National Weather Service to declare a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. across Central and Eastern Washington.
Washington officials said it was the first such warning ever issued in the state, signaling that new fires could spread rapidly while wind and smoke limit aircraft response and strain already taxed wildfire crews.
Gov. Bob Ferguson imposed a statewide burn ban Saturday, and an evacuation shelter opened for residents fleeing the blaze.