Washington state orders highest-level evacuations as major wildfires spread

Authorities in the US state of Washington have issued Level 3—the highest evacuation order—for residents of several areas in Spokane County as a fast-moving wildfire continues to spread, according to CNN.

Officials urged residents affected by the Old Trails Fire to leave immediately due to life-threatening conditions. The blaze has already scorched 2,300 acres (about 930 hectares) and is expanding rapidly.

Washington, located north of fire-prone California, is currently battling 12 major wildfires that have burned nearly 81,000 hectares in total. State authorities have also deployed an additional 110 National Guard personnel to assist firefighting efforts.

Meanwhile, data from the poweroutage.us tracking service show that more than 52,000 customers across Washington remain without electricity as the wildfires continue.

By Jeyhun Aghazada