Old Trails Fire Ravages Spokane County Neighborhoods

Aerial imagery from Nearmap captured the Old Trails Fire sweeping through residential areas of Spokane County on Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2026. The photos, taken roughly seven hours after the blaze ignited, show flames leaping from house to house, driven by high winds that carried embers beyond fire-retardant lines. Firefighters are visible spraying water and applying retardant in an effort to shield remaining structures.

CNN

Officials have reported that more than 600 buildings were destroyed in the fire. The images reveal entire blocks reduced to charred ground, with only a few green leaves persisting on trees. In some neighborhoods, bright red strips of retardant—dropped from aircraft—separate burned homes from those that survived, though the fire still managed to jump these barriers in several locations.

CNN

Local authorities confirmed the extent of the damage, emphasizing the use of aerial retardant to create protective corridors. Fire crews on the ground are documented protecting isolated houses, such as the lone standing home on West Pine Cliff Court, while surrounding structures are engulfed. The deployment of fire-retardant was noted on August 1, 2026, following earlier images taken on June 13, 2026 that show the same streets before the fire reached them.

CNN

The Old Trails Fire has left hundreds of families displaced and a significant portion of Spokane’s housing stock damaged. Firefighters continue to battle hotspots and prevent further spread, while emergency services coordinate shelter and recovery assistance for affected residents. The visible contrast between pre-fire images from June 13, 2026 and the post-fire landscape underscores the rapid and extensive devastation caused by the blaze.

CNN