Firefighters and officials in Spokane County, Washington, continued their efforts on Monday to contain multiple wildfires that have forced the evacuation of more than 65,000 residents and destroyed hundreds of homes. The blazes, driven by strong winds over the weekend, tore through neighborhoods, leveling entire streets and leaving behind widespread destruction.

Spokane’s mayor, Lisa Brown, described some neighborhoods as “simply gone,” while firefighters who have battled major California wildfires characterized the situation as an “urban conflagration.” The adjutant general of the Washington National Guard likened the evacuated areas to a “war zone” and warned of the long-term emotional toll on the community.

Authorities arrested a 37-year-old man, Aaron E. Farinacci, late Monday on suspicion of first-degree arson connected to one of the three fires. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels stated that investigators placed Farinacci at the suspected point of ignition but did not provide details on his legal representation.

Although the fires continue to burn, the easing of winds allowed some residents to begin returning to their neighborhoods. Damage assessments revealed entire blocks reduced to rubble, burnt vehicles, toppled trees, and damaged infrastructure such as broken water pipes. Despite the extensive damage, officials confirmed no fatalities. Fourteen individuals remain unaccounted for, but authorities emphasized they might have been evacuated and are working to verify their status.

The rapid advance of the fires led to immediate mandatory evacuation orders without the usual staged warnings, which Mayor Brown credited with helping residents get out quickly. “This just started at Level 3 and stayed there, so the fact that all those people made it out so quickly is a reason to feel very grateful,” she said.

Residents returning to their neighborhoods described a landscape of stark contrasts, with some homes left standing amid widespread ruin. Chad and Colette Simonson, whose Indian Trail neighborhood was heavily damaged, found their home largely intact though filled with smoke, while their 90-year-old neighbor’s house had been destroyed. Similarly, other residents reported entire blocks burned to foundations, highlighting the uneven but devastating impact.

Emergency crews reported more than 700 structures destroyed so far, with the figure expected to rise as further assessments and satellite imagery are analyzed. The extensive damage will require prolonged rebuilding efforts, according to officials.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has requested a federal emergency declaration from the Biden administration to provide support for six counties and three Native tribes affected by the fires. The state is seeking assistance with generators, temporary shelters, debris removal, search-and-rescue operations, and other recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already deployed some resources to the area.

Firefighting operations are underway with personnel from at least four states operating out of a command center near Mount Spokane High School. Their work faces challenges including unauthorized drone flights over hotspots and road closures being ignored by onlookers.

Meteorologists had forecasted a dangerous wildfire season for the Pacific Northwest due to low snowfall this past winter. Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands, Dave Upthegrove, noted that 17 major fires are currently burning across more than 262,000 acres statewide, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

Spokane, which has experienced significant population growth and rising housing costs over the past decade, faces additional challenges in recovery. Many new neighborhoods are located on the city’s expanding edge, adjacent to forests and grasslands vulnerable to wildfire. Mayor Brown acknowledged the slow road ahead but expressed confidence that rebuilding could proceed without worsening the housing shortage.

“Everybody wants some certainty,” Brown said. “They want to get back and have that moment of reckoning where they know whether their house is still there or not. We have hope, and we also need patience.”