Washington wildfires destroy homes as thousands remain evacuated

Three major wildfires have burned through thousands of acres since igniting Saturday, leveling hundreds of structures and displacing tens of thousands of residents.

(CNN)- Residents in eastern Washington are returning to heartbreaking scenes after fast-moving wildfires destroyed homes and forced widespread evacuations in Spokane County.

Three major wildfires have burned through thousands of acres since igniting Saturday, leveling hundreds of structures and displacing tens of thousands of residents.

Aric Frank, who lost his home, said all that remained when he returned was the chimney.

“I came around the corner, and I saw my chimney,” Frank said.

Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall said the scope of the disaster is significant, with more than 14,000 structures located within the evacuation zone.

Firefighters from more than a dozen states, along with crews from Australia, have joined the effort to contain the blazes.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said Washington is receiving priority federal resources because the Autumn Lane Fire is currently considered the nation’s highest-priority wildfire.

“It is the top fire in our nation,” Cantwell said. “That means they are going to give us the resources that we need here on the ground.”

For many residents, the destruction is overwhelming.

Frank, who has lived in Spokane his entire life, said he never wants to experience another wildfire threatening his community.

Firefighters continue working to contain the fires as evacuations remain in place across parts of Spokane County.