On August 3, local time, the wildfires in the suburbs of Spokane, the second-most populous city in Washington state in the US, have been burning for three days and have not been effectively controlled. The three fires have covered a total area of more than 32 square kilometers, destroyed at least 700 buildings, and forced the evacuation of about 65,000 people — more than a quarter of Spokane's population. The “Spokane wildfires” have been listed as the “highest priority for fighting fires” in the US. Local government officials said that as the fire spread from forest areas to residential and commercial development areas, “the wildfires have evolved into urban fires” and “an unknown number of people have been reported missing.” The Spokane mayor said bluntly: “We are evaluating the number of potential victims.”

On August 3, local time, the wildfires in the suburbs of Spokane, the second-most populous city in Washington state in the US, have been burning for three days and have not been effectively controlled. The three fires have covered a total area of more than 32 square kilometers, destroyed at least 700 buildings, and forced the evacuation of about 65,000 people — more than a quarter of Spokane's population. The “Spokane wildfires” have been listed as the “highest priority for fighting fires” in the US. Local government officials said that as the fire spread from forest areas to residential and commercial development areas, “the wildfires have evolved into urban fires” and “an unknown number of people have been reported missing.” The Spokane mayor said bluntly: “We are evaluating the number of potential victims.”