Thousands flee as wildfires raze Spokane neighborhoods

Fast-moving wildfires have devastated neighborhoods in Spokane, Washington, forcing thousands to evacuate and leaving a trail of destruction. Hundreds of structures, primarily homes, were reduced to cinders by three separate fires that broke out over the weekend.

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Just driving around looking at the homes - it's just one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever seen in my life.

Officials ordered evacuations Saturday and into Sunday as "extremely critical fire weather conditions" – strong winds and exceptional dryness – fueled the blazes. Videos from Sunday showed the heartbreaking aftermath, with scores of homes burned to the ground, leaving only foundations and brick fireplaces. Some nearby houses, however, escaped damage.

"Just driving around looking at the homes - it's just one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever seen in my life," said Spokane resident Geoff Beadles, who evacuated with his fiancee and dogs. Mayor Lisa Brown stated that "hundreds of homes and structures have been lost" and the potential for loss of life is still being assessed. While weather conditions improved Monday, the fires remained uncontained.

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Hundreds of homes and structures have been lost. We are still assessing the potential for lives to be lost.

A state of emergency has been declared by Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, who noted the state is in its fourth consecutive year of drought, exacerbated by climate change. He has spoken with federal officials, including President Donald Trump, about securing resources. The head of Washington's Department of Natural Resources called it an "extraordinary wildfire season" stretching resources thin across the West.

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This is an extraordinary wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest. It's not a normal season.