Nearly 12,000 Residents evacuated as Wildfire spreads in Washington

Multiple media outlet informed nearly 12,000 residents and over 2,000 structures have been evacuated after a wildfire broke out in Washington state spreading across 250 acres.

According to Spokane County officials, the fire started on Tuesday at around 12:30 p.m.local time and a red flag warning was issued.

Officials said there "was an urgent need for evacuations," in a press conference on Tuesday.

"Our teams are working hard to protect your homes. Stay out of the area. Please don't come back, that makes it very challenging for our crews," Spokane Fire District 9 Fire Chief Brian Mather said.

According to Mather, the active fire is expected to last a couple of days.

"Wind-driven fires are very, very dangerous. They're dangerous to work in. They move very rapidly," Mather said.

"We have a lot of fuel in that area, it's a very densely populated area, and it's tough conditions," he added.

Officials said, there are 10 to 15 aircraft assigned to the fire with more expected.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said he has been briefed on the fire and is monitoring the situation closely.

"I just requested a fire management assistance declaration from FEMA, which I expect to be approved this evening."

"This gives our state access to federal funding for extraordinary costs in fighting this fire," he wrote in a post on X.

The Upriver Fire began on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 16, 2026, near Upriver Drive in the Beacon Hill area of northeast Spokane, Washington.

No injuries have been reported so far and the Spokane Fire District said, the cause of the fire is under investigation.