Spokane wildfires displace thousands, but crews make progress containing flames

Spokane wildfires displace thousands, but crews make progress containing flames

Favourable weather has helped, but firefighters in Washington state are bracing for hotter, drier conditions

When Anita Stokes was ordered to evacuate her home in Spokane, Wash., last Saturday due to encroaching wildfires, she took whatever she could.

"We grabbed the cats, and I tried to pack some clothes and toiletries and things," she said. "I was able to grab our wedding album, so I'm really happy about that."

Stokes was able to return to her home on Tuesday — only to find nothing left.

"Our house is just ashes now, but I don't think it's sunk in yet. Now, we're kind of trying to figure out what we do next."

Arson suspect arrested as Washington state battles devastating wildfires

Destructive wildfires prompt evacuations in Washington state

For the time being, Stokes and her husband have parked their trailer at an evacuation site across town where they're staying with their cats.

"Unfortunately, we lost one in the fire, but we still have three. And so they're with us in our camper."

They aren't alone in their anguish.

‘We’re homeless’: Wildfires leave hundreds of Spokane, Wash., residents with nothing

About 65,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Washington state since the Autumn Lane, Fairview and Old Trails fires sparked within hours of each other on Saturday.

Fuelled by strong wind, the fast-moving flames have destroyed more than 700 structures — mostly homes around Spokane, according to officials. That number will likely change once crews are able to gain access to devastated neighbourhoods.

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson in the Old Trails fire, which has been the most destructive of the three. The causes of the other two are still under investigation.

"This is a magnitude, a level, that no one has experienced," said Matthew Vinci, the fire chief for Spokane County Fire District 9.

Vinci, who's been part of the fire service for 30 years, says these fires have hit close to home, with some of his own neighbours losing their houses.

"It's tough to see. Those are your neighbours, those are your friends … they lost everything."

Crews make progress on containment

Some 1,300 firefighters from across the United States are working around the clock to keep the fires in check. That number is expected to grow by the end of the week

Favourable weather conditions, including calmer wind and increased visibility into Wednesday, helped crews make progress.

"The fires did not grow, and the control lines have been put in around all three fires, and we actually have containment," said Tom Stokesberry, with California Interagency Incident Management Team 7.

But, he says, they're keeping a close watch on the forecast.

"Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we're going to definitely have some hotter temperatures, some lower relative humidity, and the wind's going to increase," said Stokesberry.

He said it's too soon, however, to determine how long it could take to get the situation fully under control.

"If I had a crystal ball, I could tell you," he said. "Fire is a very unpredictable thing."

Ina Sidhu is a senior business reporter for CBC News based in Calgary. She files stories for web, radio, TV and social media platforms. If you have a story to share, email ina.sidhu@cbc.ca