- In Washington state, officials say the fire could have been sparked by arson and may have been started by someone with intent to cause harm.
- According to CNN and NBC News, investigators believe the fire was started by someone who set it deliberately, while the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
- NBC News reports that a total of 1,500 firefighters and personnel from multiple agencies responded; it also says the fire was burning in an area of more than 10,000 acres.
In the article, Washington officials said the wildfire in Washington state is ongoing and is expected to continue into the next period, with the damage increasing as it spreads. CNN material states that the short-term spread of the fire is due to strong winds and dry vegetation, which can make the fire spread rapidly.
Complex of three fires, which CNN named “complex of three fires,” was a group of three wildfires that were burning at the same time. According to CNN, the fire covered more than 10,000 acres, and the fire’s cause remains under investigation; the number of people affected by the fire is still being assessed.
In a statement, Spokane Fire Chief Dana Novels said investigators believe the fire was intentionally set. The material also notes that the fire’s spread may be linked to arson, first-degree arson, and that the investigation is ongoing.
Paralleling NBC News, the fire chief said firefighters are working to contain the blaze, and that the Spokane Complex Fire was caused by arson. According to NBC News, after 1,500 firefighters and personnel were deployed, the fire’s spread was stopped at a certain point.
NBC News also reported that the weather conditions at the time were a key factor in how quickly the fire spread. According to NBC News, official figures show that the fire affected 67,000 people, and the number of people displaced continues to change.
According to NBC News, Old Trails and Autumn Lane make up 13% of the area, while Fairview Fire accounts for 5%; the average containment level is 10,546 acres. CNN material adds that winds in the area could reach 20–25 mph in Spokane and up to 35 mph in the afternoon, and that the fire could spread further under those conditions.
CNN notes that the fire’s spread is being driven by strong winds and dry conditions. The material also says that the fire can spread quickly in the coming days, and that the situation could worsen if the wind picks up.