Fast-moving wildfires burn hundreds of structures in US city of Spokane
Mayor calls blazes the region’s ‘worst natural disaster’ as flames sweep through eastern Washington state
Firefighters worked to contain huge blazes in the northwestern US city of Spokane early Monday after officials reported hundreds of structures had been reduced to cinders.
Around 60,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires threaten the city in Washington state, local officials said, adding the fires had destroyed 600 buildings, including homes and businesses. Three separate fires broke out in and around the city.
The National Weather Service (NWS) had warned of “extremely critical fire weather conditions” in the area due to strong winds and exceptional dryness.
Video of the aftermath on Sunday showed scores of homes burned to the ground, with only their brick fireplaces and foundations remaining, while other houses nearby escaped practically unscathed.
“Just driving around looking at the homes – it’s just one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Spokane resident Geoff Beadles said after evacuating from his home with his fiancée and two dogs.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown called it “the worst natural disaster our region has faced”.