Spokane Wildfires: A Confluence of Factors

The wildfires in Spokane highlight how a combination of extreme heat, dry vegetation, strong winds, and urban expansion can turn a single ignition into a disaster, destroying hundreds of homes. In the aftermath, a utility worker surveys the damage done by the Old Trails Fire in Spokane, Washington.

The fires emphasize the peril that simple actions or objects can pose in such environments. A burning cigarette, a pack of matches, or even a rubber band can easily lead to devastating consequences.