On Saturday, a family celebrating a birthday in Spokane County, Washington, faced a swift and dangerous escalation of nearby wildfires that forced them to flee by boat into the middle of Lake Spokane. Micaela Jaime and 14 others had gathered at her parents’ home near the lake for her daughter’s 12th birthday when evacuation orders began arriving, signaling the spread of multiple wildfires in the region.

Jaime’s neighborhood in Five Mile Prairie was among the areas ordered to evacuate as wildfires tore through Spokane County. Although she and her husband attempted to rescue their dog, Hope, they were blocked by closed roads, and a friend took the dog to safety. The family then returned to the lakeside property, assuming they would be out of harm’s way. However, another fire quickly encroached on Lake Spokane, prompting police to order evacuation there as well.

With roads clogged by other fleeing residents by early evening, Jaime’s family resorted to loading photo albums, valuables, a cat, and themselves into two boats, moving toward the center of the lake. From there, they witnessed flames overtaking the hillsides and homes on both shores, with explosions described as resembling fireworks. Firefighters were seen actively engaging the fires, attempting to save structures as the fire ravaged the landscape. Jaime described the scene as “surreal,” lamenting the destruction of the natural beauty and many lakefront homes.

The origin of the fires remains partly under investigation. Authorities have charged 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci with first-degree arson linked to the Old Trails Fire—the first of three major fires that weekend. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said investigations continue into the causes of the two additional fires.

The Pacific Northwest has faced a persistent drought since May, marked by hot, dry conditions that have contributed to increased wildfire risk. Earlier in June, approximately 11,000 residents in northeast Spokane had already been evacuated due to fires. Over the weekend, fire risk intensified, with the Storm Prediction Center issuing an “extremely critical” wildfire risk warning for southeastern Washington and northern Oregon.

The Old Trails Fire was first reported west of Spokane on Saturday afternoon. The fire rapidly spread across the Spokane River, pushing its way into the city. Among those evacuated was Donalda Brantley, 20, who fled with her boyfriend as flames reached dangerously close, noting the destruction of a neighbor’s home and vehicle amid the wildfire’s advance.

As of Monday, large portions of northern Spokane remained under Level 3 evacuation orders. Two of the fires were reported at zero containment. Forecasts predicted temperatures rising into the upper 90s Fahrenheit with low humidity, raising concerns for further fire activity.

In response, Washington state officials requested federal aid for six counties and three tribal nations, including resources for search and rescue. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency had not yet approved the request as of Monday, it had begun prepositioning assets in anticipation.

After spending the night at a cabin, Jaime relocated her children to Idaho for safety, where other family members also joined them. Her father remained behind at his Lake Spokane residence, prepared to defend it with a hose and maintain the family boat ready for additional evacuation if needed. The ongoing wildfires continue to threaten homes, with evacuation orders still in place for many areas.