\n A fast-moving wildfire in Spokane County, Washington, has forced residents to evacuate their homes as crews worked to quell the blaze Saturday.\n <\/p>\n
\n The highest level of evacuation order, Level 3, was issued for several areas in the Spokane area due to the Old Trails Fire, local emergency management officials said, urging residents to \u201cleave now due to the life-threatening conditions.\u201d An evacuation shelter was opened at a community college for residents fleeing their homes.\n <\/p>\n
\n The full extent of the damage is not yet clear, but officials said the fire is impacting structures. Just after midnight on Sunday morning, the Old Trails fire has already burned over 3,000 acres and is threatening up to 5,000 structures, Washington Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Jessica Walston told CNN.\n <\/p>\n
\n Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson implemented a statewide state of emergency and burn ban Saturday morning as the National Weather Service issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning across Central and Eastern Washington \u2013 a rare designation reserved for the most severe fire weather conditions.\n <\/p>\n