Weeks before devastating wildfires hit, Spokane practiced a mass evacuation – the drill paid off

Police create evacuation corridors to quickly move vehicles out of a neighborhood threatened by a wildfire on Aug. 1, 2026. AP Photo/Young Kwak When a wildfire is headed your way, evacuating may sound straightforward: Gather your belongings, get in the car and leave. In reality, it is one of the most complex decisions a person can face. Fast-moving fires, shifting winds, heavy smoke and limited escape routes can quickly turn an orderly evacuation into gridlock. In many wildfire-prone…