safety
Spokane Wildfires Threaten Airports as Drones Ground Firefighting Aircraft
Severe wildfires near Spokane, Washington, are burning within miles of Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane International, and Felts Field, forcing widespread evacuations and triggering temporary flight restrictions. Heavy smoke pushed by easterly winds has reduced visibility to low IFR conditions across the Pacific Northwest, reaching as far as Seattle and Portland. For aviators, this highlights the critical need to check for dynamic fire TFRs and prepare for widespread instrument conditions during the fire season.