Firefighters made gains in containing the Spokane Complex wildfires, but weather conditions could lead to more spread as the week goes on.

However, Ashbrook said true ecological recovery after fires depended on soil fungi returning, plants re-establishing and invertebrate populations recovering, while the loss of mature woodland could take decades to reverse. For many people, the damage is closer to home. Weeks of hot weather have caused brown lawns, wilted plants and cracked soil.

Crews continue battling massive fires near Chelan and Spokane as fire weather watches warn of worsening conditions, including gusty winds and low humidity.

Wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have forced thousands to evacuate, destroyed homes and damaged hundreds of structures as crews battle the blazes.

“A common cause of hayfield fires can be due to mechanical issues in equipment, such as a baler, with the roller bearings as the primary problem,” says Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety specialist. “The roller bearings inside the baler can easily become damaged due to wear and extended use.”

Human-caused climate change doubled the likelihood of the tinderbox weather conditions that sparked Canada’s massive summer wildfires and in turn angered U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a study released Thursday.

We continue to have the latest on the Spokane Area Fires burning in the Inland Northwest.

Amended charging documents show Aaron Farinacci is charged with additional counts of arson for several fires set since July 2025.