WASHINGTON - Dry conditions, ongoing drought, and periods of strong winds have contributed to heightened wildfire activity across eastern Washington, with several fires developing around the Spokane area over the weekend, according to AccuWeather.

The Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires have burned more than 10,000 acres across Spokane and Stevens counties since Saturday, Aug. 1. As of Tuesday, crews continued working across the region as officials assessed conditions and monitored communities near the fires.

The Autumn Lane Fire had grown to more than 5,600 acres as of Tuesday, while the Old Trails Fire covered approximately 3,600 acres northwest of Spokane. Fire crews were also working to prevent the two fires from merging.

Weather conditions have played an important role in the increased fire activity. Prolonged drought, dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds have created an environment favorable for rapid wildfire growth.

Parts of central and eastern Washington, including the Spokane area, were under a “particularly dangerous situation” Red Flag Warning Saturday. Westerly winds reached 20–30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

The conditions come as Washington experiences its fourth consecutive statewide drought. More than 1,000 fires had burned approximately 425,000 acres across the state by the beginning of August, the most acreage recorded at this point since 2021.

Officials have also pointed to limited winter snowpack as a contributing factor. Spokane County Emergency Management Deputy Director Chandra Fox told CNN that current fuel and landscape conditions are running roughly six weeks ahead of what the region would typically experience, resembling conditions more common in late August or September.

Looking ahead, AccuWeather meteorologists expect wildfire concerns to remain elevated as dry weather persists across the Northwest.

High temperatures in the 90s to low 100s F are forecast across portions of the West and Northwest, including eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana. No significant rainfall is expected during the next seven to 10 days, potentially allowing drought conditions to persist into the middle of August.

Keep checking ANUK for the latest weather developments and conditions across key growing regions.