Wildfires destroy hundreds of buildings, displace tens of thousands in Washington state

Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other news: Firefighters are battling a series of blazes that began this weekend in Washington state and are continuing to burn in and around Spokane, the state's second most populous city.

The fires have breached containment lines. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and hundreds of buildings have now been destroyed.

Stephanie Sy has our report.

Stephanie Sy:

Thick smoke billowing in the Washington sky, cars, homes, and whole swathes of neighborhoods in flames and left in ashes.

Senator Maria Cantwell described the situation in her state.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA):

This is the most risked and resourced fire in the United States today. It is the top fire in our nation.

Stephanie Sy:

More than 600 structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed.

Aric Frank, Wildfires Survivor:

I was on the roof. I couldn't see my feet, and I had to feel my way down the ladder because everything just turned black.

Stephanie Sy:

Aric Frank has lived here for more than 45 years.

Aric Frank:

I don't think I'm going to rebuild here, because I don't ever want to have to relive a fire coming up this hill again.

Stephanie Sy:

Spokane Mayor Lisa brown said officials were still assessing whether the fires had claimed lives.

Lisa Brown, Mayor of Spokane, Washington: To the people who are suffering right now in our region from either loss or uncertainty, everyone here, our hearts go out to you. We are here for you for the long term.

Man:

That's gas burning.

Stephanie Sy:

Some 60,000 residents in the Spokane area have been evacuated, hundreds finding shelter with the Red Cross.

Bob Ferguson, Washington's governor, said recovery would be long for many.

Gov. Bob Ferguson (D-WA):

There are just so many Washingtonians who have literally lost everything in a very, very short period of time. Just in a matter of hours, their lives changed in deeply dramatic and fundamental ways.

Lizzie Davis, Wildfire Victim:

My dad had actually just finished paying off the house. Yes. He worked really hard for that. And I'm really grateful for everything that he was able to provide for my family.

Stephanie Sy:

Crews are technically battling three fires, the Autumn Lane, Fairview, and Old Trails fire. Together called the Spokane Complex Fire, it's already torn through more than 7,000 acres.

Satellite imagery from NOAA shows the magnitude of the fires and smoke affecting the Northwest.

Man:

They wanted us to evacuate, but the waves were crashing, the wind was blowing, it was smoky. Figured we were safer just staying put on our beach.

Stephanie Sy:

High temperatures, dry air, and strong winds have made for extraordinary wildfire conditions. Firefighters from neighboring states are helping in the effort.

Robert Gray, Spokane County, Washington, Fire:

There just wasn't enough rigs with how many fires we had going and how large the fire got with how quick it was. It was jumping through multiple neighborhoods. Nobody is capable of handling that in this country.

Stephanie Sy:

Cooler temperatures today and tomorrow offer hope that firefighters can start to contain the fires, which are being called Spokane's worst natural disaster to date.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Stephanie Sy.