Power Outages Hit 13,000 Homes as Fires Threaten Thousands of Buildings

Utility companies in eastern Washington confirmed that over 13,000 households have lost electricity due to damaged transmission lines near the active wildfires. The outages affect communities surrounding the Old Trails, Fairview, and Meadowview fires, where high winds continue to fan the flames.

Emergency management officials warned that up to 5,000 buildings remain at risk if the fire breaches containment lines. Evacuation orders have been escalated to level‑3 in several unincorporated areas, forcing residents to relocate to nearby schools and community centers.

The Washington National Guard is providing logistical support, delivering generators and fuel to critical shelters. Meanwhile, firefighters are prioritising the protection of power infrastructure to prevent further blackouts.

Officials advise owners to report downed lines and refrain from using open flames or generators indoors, as the combination of fire and electrical hazards poses a severe safety threat.