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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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The National Weather Service (NWS) in eastern Washington has issued a new warning as crews continue battling the devastating Spokane-area fires that have scorched more than 10,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of homes and structures, and forced tens of thousands of residents from their neighborhoods.
The new warning comes as fire weather concerns remain elevated across the region. The NWS office in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for parts of eastern Washington, warning that breezy winds, low humidity and dry fuels could create conditions favorable for rapid fire growth through the end of the week. Air quality alerts also remain in place across the area because of the smoke.
In Spokane, the majority of losses have been concentrated in the Old Trails Fire, which accounted for 694 destroyed structures. Another 160 structures have been lost in the Autumn Lane Fire, while the Fairview Fire has destroyed 59 structures, KREM in Spokane reported.
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Spokane Fires Live Tracker Maps Amid Hot Temperatures, Strong Winds
Temperatures, relative humidity, and gusty winds will again be working against firefighters this weekend, according to the Fire Weather Watch issued by NWS Spokane.
In the alert, NWS Spokane warned that southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph would be felt near the fires on Friday and Saturday.
"A combination of temperatures reaching 90-100°F, very low humidity, and gusty winds will create an environment where new or existing fires can spread rapidly," NWS Spokane said on its website. "Please remain vigilant and avoid any outdoor activities that could cause a spark, especially across central Washington where the strongest winds are forecast."
Animated forecast maps from Windy.com showed the weather conditions expected to unfold across the region.
NWS Spokane warned of relative humidities between 10 percent and 18 percent on Friday and Saturday.
Temperatures will also be high, pushing past 90 degrees on Friday and Saturday.
Air Quality for Spokane, Surrounding Areas
Air quality also remains a concern, with officials warning that "very unhealthy" air quality levels could occur across Spokane and surrounding areas.
"When air quality is Very Unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure," an air quality alert for the area said. "Stay inside and filter indoor air to keep it cleaner. Go elsewhere for cleaner air, if needed."
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Map Shows Wildfires and Containment Levels
The Spokane-area fires consist of three major wildfires: the Old Trails Fire, the Autumn Lane Fire and the Fairview Fire. Together, they have burned more than 10,000 acres.
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Earlier this week, fire officials reported that the Spokane-area wildfires had 0 percent containment, meaning firefighters had not yet established or secured control lines around the blazes that were considered likely to stop their spread. As firefighting efforts intensified, containment figures began to improve, signaling that crews were making progress in constructing and strengthening fire lines and reducing the risk of further growth.
As of Thursday, the Old Trails Fire was 5 percent contained, the Autumn Lane Fire 13 percent contained and the Fairview Fire 13 percent contained. Containment does not mean a fire is out. Instead, it refers to the percentage of a fire's perimeter that firefighters believe can be contained by natural barriers or control lines, helping prevent flames from spreading beyond those boundaries. Despite improving containment, officials have continued to warn that hot, dry and windy conditions could still challenge firefighting operations and threaten nearby communities.
However, smoke drifting into the region from other Pacific Northwest wildfires could provide firefighters with a small advantage on Thursday, according to an incident management team official during a daily briefing. The smoke acts like a filter for sunlight, helping keep temperatures slightly cooler while also reducing wind speeds and maintaining higher relative humidity levels. The conditions can moderate fire behavior and make it easier for crews to strengthen containment lines and limit fire growth.
Smoke can also be harmful though, and air quality alerts remain in place across the region. Animated weather footage from windy.com shows high concentrations of PM2.5 across northern and eastern Washington. Wildfire smoke contains high concentrations of PM2.5, a form of fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller that can travel deep into the lungs and is associated with a range of respiratory and cardiovascular health risks.
What Started the Spokane Fires?
The Old Trails Fire has been the most destructive of the three, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all confirmed structure losses. Authorities have arrested Aaron Farinacci, 37, in connection with an arson investigation linked to the blaze, though officials say investigations remain ongoing. Farinacci, who has denied starting the fire, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Newsweek, is set to appear in court on Thursday for his arraignment, the Spokane County Public Defender's Office told Newsweek.
Evacuation Map as Thousands Wait to Go Home
As firefighters continue damage assessments, residents are anxiously awaiting word on when they can return home and whether their properties survived. Authorities stress that official structure-loss figures remain preliminary and could change as crews complete aerial surveys and ground inspections in the coming days.
Thousands of Spokane-area residents remain displaced as evacuation orders continue around the fire zones.
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has warned that some residents could face a lengthy wait before returning to their properties, saying it may take weeks before certain neighborhoods are reopened, KREM reported. Earlier in the week, local officials said more than 65,000 people had received evacuation notices as the fires spread through residential communities around Spokane.
Emergency managers continue to encourage residents to monitor official evacuation maps and alerts as conditions evolve. Fire officials say public safety remains the top priority while crews work to strengthen containment lines and assess damaged neighborhoods.
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What Happens Next
Firefighters are expected to continue strengthening containment lines around the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires while crews conduct more detailed damage assessments in affected communities. Officials have warned that structure-loss figures could change as aerial surveys and on-the-ground inspections continue.
At the same time, emergency managers will review evacuation zones and determine when it is safe for residents to return home, a process that could take days or even weeks in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
Fire officials are also closely monitoring weather conditions, with forecasts calling for continued hot, dry conditions and periods of gusty wind that could challenge containment efforts despite recent progress.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Skinner and Dave Siminoff.
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