'The fire's right there' - Families recount fleeing Washington state wildfires

August 4, 2026

Multiple wildfires erupted over the weekend in the Spokane, Washington area, forcing over 60,000 residents to evacuate with little to no warning and destroying more than 700 homes and buildings across 10,000 acres. Residents like Amy Mulligan and James Main described chaotic scenes of families fleeing through thick smoke while dealing with panic attacks and children hyperventilating in their vehicles. A suspect has been taken into custody on suspicion of arson in connection with the Old Trails fire, the largest of three blazes still burning as of Tuesday afternoon.

Who is affected

Amy Mulligan, her husband, and their two children (including a nine-year-old daughter)
James Main and his wife
More than 60,000 people forced to evacuate
Families who lost more than 700 homes and other buildings in the Spokane area
A five-year-old's birthday party attendees (party was canceled)
A suspect arrested on suspicion of arson

What action is being taken

Three wildfires (including the Old Trails fire) are still burning as of Tuesday afternoon
A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of arson over the Old Trails fire
Residents are surveying damage and returning to see what remains of their homes

Why it matters

This disaster highlights the devastating human cost of wildfires in areas prone to such events, particularly when evacuation warnings fail or arrive too late. The fires have displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed hundreds of structures, leaving families like the Mulligans and Mains without homes and irreplaceable personal possessions that carry deep sentimental and family value. The scale of destruction—over 10,000 acres burned and more than 700 buildings destroyed—represents a significant crisis for the Spokane community, with long-term implications for housing, recovery, and rebuilding.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC