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Officials: tens of thousands evacuated; Spokane Convention Center open as shelter
Summary
Officials said the evacuation moved tens of thousands of people — estimates ranged from about 60,000 to 67,000 — and urged patience for neighborhood-by-neighborhood re-entry. The Red Cross and local partners are operating shelters; the Spokane Convention Center was named as an organized site with capacity and partners are coordinating donations and volunteers through official channels.
Officials said the large evacuation operation moved tens of thousands of people quickly and without widespread injury, and warned that re-entry decisions will be made neighborhood by neighborhood as conditions are reassessed. Tom Clemo said "67,000 people are under evacuation" while other officials described the initial effort that moved roughly 60,000–65,000 people as a "herculean" accomplishment.
Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kearns emphasized safety rules for evacuees and called out a drone ban in active fire zones because unmanned aircraft endanger aerial firefighting. Kearns said the Spokane Convention Center is open as an evacuation center and can flex to about 120,000 square feet. Red Cross and local partners were listed as primary points for shelter, meals and health support, and officials urged donors to use trusted channels rather than spontaneous collection points.
