Kathmandu— Wildfires raging across eastern Washington state have destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. The blazes, fueled by severe drought conditions, have burned through neighborhoods around Spokane, leaving behind only chimneys and charred debris. About 700 structures were lost as of Monday, with the total expected to rise.
Devastation in Spokane
Miriam and Daniel Sim, both 76, returned to their home in a devastated neighborhood only to find it completely leveled by fire. 'It’s like a war zone,' Miriam said as she surveyed the ruins of her house where they had lived since 2005. The couple's situation reflects that of many others who have lost everything and are now questioning whether rebuilding is feasible at their age.
The fires, which jumped roads and rivers, covered about 12.5 square miles by Monday morning. In some areas, only chimneys remained standing amidst the blackened vehicles and melted plastic recycling bins.
Emergency Response
About 67,000 people were under evacuation orders as firefighters worked to extinguish smoldering embers. The state’s entire congressional delegation wrote a letter to President Donald Trump requesting an expedited emergency declaration due to the severity of the situation.
Courtney James, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, stated that the fires in Spokane were completely uncontained. Authorities warned against flying drones near burned areas as it could delay aerial firefighting operations.
Broader Impact
The wildfires have not only affected residential areas but also impacted local businesses and infrastructure. Patients at the U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital in Spokane were among those evacuated.
In addition to Spokane, other regions across the Western United States are grappling with similar challenges. A lightning-caused fire in western Idaho and eastern Oregon has burned over 530 square miles of grassland, threatening more than 600 homes and 800 structures.
(With inputs from AP)
Originally published on abcnews.com.np.
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