At least 600 structures damaged in Washington state wildfires
A wildfire burning northwest of downtown Spokane, Washington, has damaged more than 600 structures as officials continue to assess the destruction.
Read more Fire on Indonesian ferry leaves at least 5 dead and dozens missing
The fire is listed at 5,390 acres as of Sunday, according to Benjamin Cossel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who told NBC News officials were still working to determine the full scope of the damage.
Authorities confirmed that more than 600 structures have been damaged, but they have not yet determined how many were homes, businesses or schools.
The blazes, officially called the Spokane Area Fires, are being managed as three separate incidents: the Old Trails Fire, the Fairview Fire and the Autumn Lane Fire.
Read more A Seattle teen tried to leave gang life behind, only to be killed in a gunfight at a food festival
The California Interagency Incident Management Teams assumed command of the fires after arriving Saturday night. The federal agency specializes in managing complex wildland-urban fires, where flames threaten homes and other development, team officials said in an interview with NBC affiliate KHQ of Spokane.
Officials said evacuation areas will remain closed until authorities determine it is safe for residents to return.
Several social media posts verified by NBC News shows a local sports complex with smoke looming in the background before it became engulfed in flames.
Read more Sen. John Kennedy says he’d exclude Jan. 6 rioters from ‘anti-weaponization’ fund legislation
