SPOKANE, Washington — Wildfires continued to threaten communities across eastern Washington on Sunday, prompting evacuation warnings and emergency response operations as firefighters worked to contain blazes amid hot, dry and windy conditions.
The latest fires included two blazes in Whitman County, where the Wells Road fire near Malden and the Palouse River fire each had grown to about 1,000 acres, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuations were ordered for Malden and nearby areas as winds pushed the Wells Road fire toward populated communities. Ground and aircraft crews were deployed to fight the flames, while fire agencies from across the county provided assistance.
The sheriff’s office said structures had been lost in both fires, although officials had not provided a final damage assessment. No injuries had been reported from the Wells Road fire as of Saturday night, according to local officials.
Malden, a community that suffered extensive destruction in a 2020 wildfire, was evacuated as a precaution. Officials urged residents to avoid affected areas and follow evacuation instructions from law enforcement and fire authorities.
The fires added to a broader wildfire emergency in Washington. Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office said the federal government had approved an emergency declaration covering Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties, as well as several tribal governments. The declaration allows federal assistance for evacuations, emergency shelters, food and water, search-and-rescue operations and other emergency response costs.
Washington had also activated additional firefighting resources. The state said 110 National Guard members were activated on July 31, joining helicopter crews already deployed, while the State Emergency Operations Center coordinated the response with local, tribal, state and federal agencies.
The governor declared a statewide emergency as drought, high temperatures and strong winds increased fire danger, while a statewide ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning was imposed through Sept. 30.
The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning for much of eastern Washington, warning of critical fire conditions and wind gusts that could accelerate the spread of existing fires.
As of Sunday, evacuation warnings remained in effect in parts of eastern Washington, while firefighters continued containment and suppression operations. Authorities urged residents in threatened areas to monitor official alerts and be prepared to evacuate as conditions change.
