Thousands ordered to evacuate as wildfires threaten US city of Spokane

Washington [US], August 4: Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate parts of Spokane in the eastern US state of Washington as firefighters battle several wildfires.
Authorities issued the highest-level evacuation warning on Sunday due to a "current or imminent" threat, urging residents to leave affected areas immediately and not return while emergency crews continued their work.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said on Facebook that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump about the "dire and devastating" situation in Spokane and across the state.
Ferguson said they would work together on further requests for federal assistance. "I am optimistic we will receive a quick approval for our request for a federal emergency declaration," he added.
Several fires have broken out in recent days. The Old Trails Fire, directly bordering Spokane, has spread across some 14 square kilometres to the west and north-west of the city.
Firefighters were also battling the smaller Fairview Fire to the north-east, while the Autumn Lane Fire was burning further north near the Spokane River, according to the non-profit fire-tracking app Watch Duty.
The National Weather Service said winds were expected to weaken overnight into Monday, but warned that the danger from new and existing fires remained elevated.
Ferguson mobilized 110 members of the National Guard on Friday and declared a statewide wildfire emergency on Saturday due to drought, high temperatures and strong winds.
Source: Qatar Tribune