Smoke fills the sky as National Guard battles massive Washington wildfire
The Washington National Guard dropped water on the 53,750-acre Modrite Fire on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, as aerial footage showed smoke rising near Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake.
National Guard via Storyful
Wildfires continue to burn across Washington as crews respond to multiple large blazes threatening communities throughout the state.
The Spokane Complex fires — including the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires — have become among the biggest wildfire concerns in Washington, destroying hundreds of homes and other structures and forcing tens of thousands of evacuations. More than 1,400 firefighters and over 100 Washington National Guard members have been assigned to the response as crews work to strengthen containment lines.
Elsewhere in the state, firefighters are also battling the Modrite Fire, which has burned tens of thousands of acres near Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake. Aerial firefighting efforts have been underway as crews work to slow the fire’s spread.
Watch: See the Modrite Fire from above as National Guard dumps water onto the area
The Washington National Guard released aerial footage showing water drops over the Modrite Fire as smoke filled the sky above the blaze.
The fire had grown to 53,750 acres and was 35% contained as of Aug. 5, according to local officials. The Washington National Guard said more than 1 million gallons of water have been dropped on wildfires across Washington since July 19.
Watch the video below for an aerial look at firefighting efforts over the Modrite Fire.
Gallery: Wildfires scorch neighborhoods across Spokane, Washington
Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the nation as the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network and contributes to Texas Connect coverage across the state. She can be reached at baddison@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Facebook here.