AUTUMN LANE

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Autumn Lane Fire ignited on the afternoon of Saturday, August 1, 2026, in the 14800 block of W Autumn Lane in Nine Mile Falls, burning across Spokane and Stevens Counties, Washington.
Size and Containment: Over the last 72 hours, crews have made significant progress. As of August 10, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 5,784 acres and containment has increased to 73%.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially driven by extreme winds, the fire grew rapidly, jumping the Spokane River and advancing through the Little Spokane River Natural Area. It is primarily fueled by timber, litter, understory, brush, and grass. In recent days, fire behavior has moderated significantly to flanking, backing, and smoldering.
Containment Efforts: The incident is currently managed by a Complex Incident Management Team with over 745 personnel assigned. Firefighters are conducting aggressive mop-up operations, searching for and extinguishing pockets of heat near containment lines to ensure no heat sources pose a threat. FEMA has authorized Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) funds to cover up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs, which have reached over $6.1 million.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Level 3 ("Go Now") evacuation orders remain in place for areas around Suncrest, Highway 291, Swenson Road, Wildrose, Ridgeway, and Woolard Road.
Evacuation Warnings: Level 2 ("Set") and Level 1 ("Ready") warnings are active for surrounding zones in Spokane and Stevens Counties.
Estimated Impact: Thousands of residents in the Suncrest and Nine Mile Falls areas have been displaced, contributing to a massive regional evacuation effort.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Emergency shelters have been established at the Spokane Convention Center and Spokane Falls Community College (Small Gym, 3410 W Whistalks Way). An animal shelter is open at the Spokane County Fairgrounds.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• State Route 291 / Highway 291 has experienced significant roadblocks and closures to allow fire crews to operate safely.
• West Rutter Parkway has been closed to traffic.
• The fire has threatened critical infrastructure, including state and local parks, schools, water district structures, and county microwave transmitters.

For more information, visit:

• Spokane County Emergency Management
• Stevens County Emergency Management
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildfire Incident Information

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: Miraculously, no injuries or fatalities have been reported. All 14 individuals initially unaccounted for in the area have been safely located by the sheriff's office.
Structures Impacted: The Autumn Lane Fire has been highly destructive, with an estimated 168 structures lost.
Notable Impacts: The fire tore through the Little Spokane River Natural Area. While the Indian Painted Rocks Trailhead—home to 250-year-old Native American pictographs—was unscathed, the surrounding trails, including the Knothead Loop, have burned.
School and Business Closures: The fire threatened local schools and ranger stations, and forced the evacuation of nearby medical facilities during its initial explosive run.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: Avista Utilities enacted Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and suffered extensive damage to transmission lines, leaving tens of thousands of regional customers without power at the peak of the incident.
Burn Bans: Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide wildfire emergency, and a strict burn ban is in effect restricting all outdoor burning.
Air Quality: Air quality in the Little Spokane River Natural Area and surrounding regions has reached hazardous levels due to heavy smoke. Residents are advised to stay indoors, limit outdoor exposure, and use air purifiers if possible. No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment reaching 73%, firefighters have hit a significant milestone. However, crews remain vigilant and are holding all evacuation levels in place until critical weather patterns pass. They will continue to focus on point protection, securing the perimeter, and ensuring that interior heat pockets do not breach containment lines.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Red Flag Warning has been in effect for the area due to high temperatures in the 90s, very low relative humidity in the teens, and increased winds. Sustained winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph elevate fire danger and complicate ongoing mop-up efforts.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Autumn Lane Fire is currently under investigation, though local authorities believe it was likely human-caused but accidental.
Weather and Climate: Extreme fire weather conditions played a massive role in the fire's explosive initial growth. The National Weather Service issued a rare "particularly dangerous situation" Red Flag Warning for Eastern Washington prior to ignition. The combination of persistent drought, low humidity, and severe sustained winds of 35–40 mph allowed the flames to rapidly overcome initial suppression efforts.

For more information, visit:

• Spokane County Emergency Management
• Stevens County Emergency Management
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildfire Incident Information