Wildfire roundup: Autumn Lane fire still growing, AQI remains same

Aug. 4, 2026 Updated Tue., Aug. 4, 2026 at 3:59 p.m.

By Megan Howard meganh@spokesman.com (509) 459-5401

The Spokane Complex fires burned over 10,000 acres as of Tuesday morning, said Tom Stokesberry, spokesperson for the California team 7 incident management team.

The Old Trails and Fairview fires are looking good, but still experiencing high heat and hot spots, Stokesberry said. The Autumn Lane fire grew over 1,000 acres Sunday night, The Spokesman-Review previously reported, and the fire continued to grow by over 200 more acres as of Tuesday morning.

Tuesday’s air quality index measured 191, in the unhealthy range, about the same as the previous day’s reading.

The presumed human-caused Old Trails fire destroyed over 700 homes, and 37-year-old Aaron F. Farinacci was arrested Monday evening for felony first-degree arson in connection with the fire.

Over 1,100 firefighters are working the Spokane Complex fires, with additional resources coming each day. President Donald Trump on Tuesday approved the emergency declaration for Washington state, allowing FEMA to coordinate federal relief efforts for the various devastating fires throughout the state, a FEMA news release said.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Wildfire roundup: Autumn Lane fire still growing, AQI remains same

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

What was lost, what was saved: Businesses, churches and other facilities in path of Old Trails fire

Firefighters ride out Old Trails inferno in Spokane neighborhood: 'We make our stand here'

EWU, Gonzaga house community members affected by fires in dorms