Utah wildfire forces evacuations in Fillmore as blaze expands
Utah wildfire forces Fillmore evacuations after burning 57 square miles.
Event / Disaster
Western US Wildfire Crisis 2026
Major wildfire outbreak across the western United States in summer 2026, including severe fires in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho-Oregon, and Utah regions, driven by extreme drought, record temperatures, and high winds.
8 reported locations
Daily activity
0 articles0 articles
2026-08-13 to 2026-11-10 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 Aug, 08:52 UTC
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What happened
Spokane convention center opened as shelter for wildfire evacuees
Authorities in Spokane set up a shelter at the city's main convention center. About 400 people were staying there on Sunday, including many elderly residents. Nursing staff provided assistance.
Spokane Public Schools opens emergency drop-in camp for children
Spokane Public Schools opened a free emergency drop-in camp for children on Monday to assist families affected by the wildfires.
Spokane Veterans Affairs hospital evacuated due to wildfires
The U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital in Spokane was evacuated as the wildfires spread through the area, with patients requiring relocation to safe locations.
National Weather Service issues red flag fire warnings and extreme heat warnings
The National Weather Service issued red flag fire warnings for parts of Utah, Montana, and western Nebraska, and extreme heat warnings for southern Arizona, California, Nevada, and northern Montana. Warnings about air quality were issued across the northwest.
Washington state experiencing worst fire season in more than 30 years
Washington state is enduring its worst fire season in more than 30 years, with more than a dozen wildfires burning across the state fueled by dry conditions and strong gusts. At least 390 square miles has burned across the state. The Pacific Northwest is also experiencing an unprecedented fourth drought emergency in a row, with low water supply and record temperatures as part of an ongoing warming trend.
Spokane Mayor declares wildfires worst natural disaster in region's history
Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown declared the fires to be the worst natural disaster the region has faced. She stated that nearly half of the city's neighborhoods have either been evacuated or are at risk, and that the city has experienced fires before but not to this magnitude.
Large wildfire burns 525 square miles across western Idaho and eastern Oregon
A fire burning grassland in western Idaho and eastern Oregon has burned nearly 525 square miles over ten days. The area is home to cattle ranches, and the fire threatens more than 600 homes and 800 other structures. The fire was caused by lightning.
Strong winds of up to 45 miles per hour fueled Spokane-area wildfires
Wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour fueled the three major wildfires in the Spokane area. Assistant Spokane Fire Chief Lance Dahl stated that with gusts of this magnitude, there is not a fire department in the U.S. that can handle a wind-driven event this size.
Mandatory evacuations ordered for Fillmore, Utah as wildfire approaches
Mandatory evacuations were ordered Sunday evening for the southern portion of Fillmore, Utah, a town of about 2,600 people and the seat of Millard County. The fire is moving north toward the town.
Governor Ferguson activates FEMA disaster assistance for wildfire victims
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson's office worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide disaster assistance to wildfire victims. He noted that many Washingtonians had lost everything in a very short period of time, with their lives changed in deeply dramatic and fundamental ways.
Drone operators cited for unauthorized operations during Spokane wildfires
Fire officials cited two drone operators who were not authorized to operate during the wildfires. There were at least 26 drone incursions over the fires on Sunday.
Utah wildfire nearly 57 square miles, kills more than 100 cattle
A massive blaze in central Utah more than doubled in size over the weekend and reached nearly 57 square miles by Monday morning. More than 100 cattle have been killed by the fire. Heavy winds helped flames jump containment lines, and officials called the fire catastrophic.
Nearly 65,000 people evacuated in Spokane area as three major wildfires spread
Nearly 65,000 people were ordered to evacuate over the weekend as three fast-moving wildfires burned through Spokane and nearby communities in Washington state. The blazes swept into the state's second-largest city on Saturday, destroying hundreds of buildings. The fires burned about 12 square miles by early Monday and were 0% contained.
Large fire burns 210 square miles northwest of Spokane
A fire approximately 80 miles from Spokane has burned about 210 square miles in less populated areas northwest of the city.
At least 600 homes and structures destroyed in Spokane-area wildfires
At least 600 homes, businesses and other structures were destroyed across the Spokane area by the three major wildfires. Video from the area showed buildings on fire, black smoke billowing near neighborhoods, and the smoking ruins of homes with only chimneys still standing.
Spokane County court trials postponed due to wildfires
Court trials in Spokane County scheduled for the week of August 3-9 were continued to the week of August 10 due to the wildfires.
Fire in eastern Oregon's Stinkingwater Mountains burns 336 square miles
A fire in eastern Oregon, about 70 miles northwest of Spokane in the Stinkingwater Mountains, has burned about 336 square miles.
No injuries or deaths reported in Spokane-area wildfires
Fire and law enforcement officials reported no injuries or people unaccounted for in the Spokane-area wildfires, though they stressed it was early in the response effort.
Wildfire in Var department, France affects 1,850 hectares
A wildfire in the Var department declared on Friday burned approximately 1,850 hectares. Fire department officials stated that extinguishing the fire would be a long-term effort lasting several days.
Heat wave persists across eastern and southeastern France with orange alert
Twenty departments in eastern and southeastern France remained under orange heat wave alert on Monday, maintaining elevated wildfire risk.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Western wildfires expand across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
Pacific Northwest wildfires have burned over 1,000 square miles across three states this season.
Spokane mobilizes emergency response as 65,000 evacuate three major wildfires
Spokane area evacuates 65,000 residents; 600+ structures destroyed; no deaths reported.
Hundreds of buildings destroyed as wildfire tears through Spokane, Washington
Spokane wildfire destroys hundreds of buildings as it rapidly spreads across Washington.
France battles massive wildfires amid persistent heatwave conditions
Major French wildfires burn tens of thousands of hectares amid persistent heatwave conditions.