Wildfire in US state of Washington forces thousands to evacuate as blaze threatens 4,000 structures

“Our hearts go out to Washingtonians who are losing their homes and being evacuated,” CNN quoted Ferguson as saying.

Washington National Guard Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh warned that communities could face extensive damage.

“When the sun sets, and the sun rises in the morning, I think we’re going to be in shock to see some of the scenes that emerge out of there,” he said.

Across Washington, more than 200,000 acres are burning in 12 large wildfires, while more than 4,000 firefighting personnel have been deployed, according to state officials.

The fire also prompted evacuations at Spokane’s veterans’ hospital, a water reclamation facility, and a waste-to-energy plant.

Authorities said historically strong winds, low humidity, and ongoing drought conditions have contributed to the rapid growth of the fire.

The cause of the Old Trails Fire, which began around noon on Saturday, remains under investigation.

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