Wildfires Near Spokane Threaten Key Airports

Evacuations continue as unauthorized drone flights disrupt aerial firefighting.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, August 04, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Wildfires in Spokane, Washington, are north of three major airports and still growing and uncontained as of Tuesday. [Credit: SkyVector/FAA]

Key Takeaways:

Wildfires in Spokane, Washington, are burning close to three major airports, necessitating a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) and prompting the evacuation of over 67,000 people.
Fairchild Air Force Base has issued a limited evacuation order for personnel and dependents living in Level 3 zones off-base, providing lodging and financial support for those displaced.
Unauthorized drone flights within the TFR are grounding firefighting aircraft, posing a significant safety risk and leading to substantial fines for operators.
Smoke from the fires is causing widespread Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions across eastern Washington and reducing visibility in major cities like Seattle-Tacoma and Portland, Oregon.

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The wildfires burning in Spokane, Washington, are within a few miles of three major airports—Fairchild Air Force Base (KSKA), Spokane International (KGEG), and Felts Field (KSFF).

A weather briefing from Leidos Flight Service depicts the fire temporary flight restriction (TFT) a few miles to the north of the airports. The fires, which started on Saturday afternoon, have so far forced the evacuation of some 67,000 people.