2026 Washington state wildfires
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
Thousands of evacuees allowed to return home in Spokane area
An updated map was posted at 1:30 p.m.
The evacuations lasted for nine days as of the announcement.
Sheriff John Nowels announced that many evacuees can return home.
Spokane wildfire arson suspect arrested
Aaron Farinacci allegedly claimed responsibility for 25 other fires set in the area over the last year.
Aaron Farinacci told investigators he waited for a hot, dry, and windy day to light the blaze.
The Spokane fire forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed more than 700 buildings.
New wildfire sparks west of Spokane with evacuation order
A fourth wildfire sparked in the Spokane area on Wednesday afternoon.
Tom Clemo is an incident commander for the crews battling the fires.
The fourth wildfire is named the Charles fire.
“I feel better at least seeing what it’s doing than sitting there wondering, waiting for an alert to go off.”
Man accused of starting Gann Fire has prior fire-related offense from 2018
Calaveras County Unified School District classes were canceled Wednesday due to air quality affected by wildfire smoke.
The Gann Fire started shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday near Hogan Dam and Gann roads near New Hogan Lake.
In 1999, Smith was accepted into the Conservation Fire Camp Program.
“That was never my intent. I was just out there trying to get some money together, and it turned into this.”
Spokane County fires overview
Spokane wildfire arson suspect Aaron Farinacci linked to multiple blazes
Washington wildfire arson suspect linked to multiple blazes
The man accused of sparking the biggest of three wildfires in Spokane has a long history of mental health issues.
The three fires in Spokane are named Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane.
Authorities were trying to contact 14 people they had been unable to reach by mobile phone.
Washington state wildfires force mass evacuations
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and requested federal assistance.
Governor Ferguson issued a statewide ban on all outdoor fires on Monday.
More than 10,000 electricity customers were left without power on Sunday.
“Our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state, and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer, any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire.”
Eastern Washington wildfires burn 600 structures, force evacuation of 5,000 homes
Fire and law enforcement officials said there had been no reports of injuries or people unaccounted for as of Sunday.
About 10,000 people were without power in the Spokane area on Sunday, down from a peak of 30,000.
More than 100 cattle have been killed in the central Utah fire, according to local law enforcement.
“It’s very, very hilly, very, very steep slopes, a lot of canyons that create really turbulent, really challenging sort of wind scenarios.”
Washington declares statewide emergency, bans most outdoor burning amid wildfire threat
The statewide burn ban prohibits yard debris burning, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement, bonfires, and campfires not contained in fire rings or fire pits.
Ferguson activated 110 Washington National Guard members on July 31 to support firefighting efforts.
Washington is experiencing its fourth consecutive statewide drought.
“Our record-setting drought and high winds are creating dangerous conditions across the state,”