Wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have scorched more than 10,000 acres of land and destroyed hundreds of homes and structures since igniting on Saturday.

At one point, the fires forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. Some have since returned to find treasured memories turned to ashes.

Authorities have arrested and charged a Spokane resident with first-degree arson in one of the fires. He has an arraignment scheduled for Thursday.

Meanwhile, crews were working tirelessly to contain the fires Thursday while preparing for a new bout of flame-fueling winds and intense heat.

There are dozens of active blazes across Washington and Oregon. These are producing smoke that’s creating abysmal air quality in the Pacific Northwest at large. It’s the worst fire season in more than 30 years for both states.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat running for a US Senate seat in Michigan, takes the stage at a primary watch party in Detroit early on Wednesday, August 5. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F05%2Fpolitics%2Finside-abdul-el-sayed-campaign-michigan-democrats-election">El-Sayed’s narrow victory</a> was a landmark for the Democratic Party’s socialist-aligned wing, which now adds a swing-state win to its recent run in deep-blue districts.
Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat running for a US Senate seat in Michigan, takes the stage at a primary watch party in Detroit early on Wednesday, August 5. El-Sayed’s narrow victory was a landmark for the Democratic Party’s socialist-aligned wing, which now adds a swing-state win to its recent run in deep-blue districts.
Nick Hagen/The New York Times
The world’s most powerful solar telescope captured this high-resolution image of the sun, zooming into a magnetically active area near a sunspot. The image, released on Wednesday, August 5, is the highest-resolution observation of the sun’s visible surface, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F05%2Fscience%2Finouye-telescope-sun-images-magnetic-energy">and it uncovered a hidden process that drives solar activity</a>.
The world’s most powerful solar telescope captured this high-resolution image of the sun, zooming into a magnetically active area near a sunspot. The image, released on Wednesday, August 5, is the highest-resolution observation of the sun’s visible surface, and it uncovered a hidden process that drives solar activity.
NSF/NSO/AURA/MPS
A protester ties a ribbon with the names of detainees on a fence outside of Delaney Hall, a controversial immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, on Monday, August 3. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a Salvadoran migrant detained at the detention center, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F04%2Fus%2Fnew-jersey-ice-detention-death-delaney-hall-hnk">was pronounced dead on Saturday</a> by medical workers at University Hospital in Newark, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement. Lopez-Cornejo “experienced a medical emergency while in ICE custody,” and GEO Group facility staff and medical staff “responded immediately and called 911 for emergency medical services,” ICE said. The official cause of death remains pending further medical examination, the agency added. Delaney Hall has been at the center of allegations of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F05%2F29%2Fus%2Fice-protests-new-jersey">inhumane conditions</a> for detainees, which led to dayslong protests earlier this year and clashes between law enforcement and protesters that prompted the city’s mayor to enact a temporary curfew. The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly denied elected officials’ claims of unacceptable conditions at Delaney Hall.
A protester ties a ribbon with the names of detainees on a fence outside of Delaney Hall, a controversial immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, on Monday, August 3. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a Salvadoran migrant detained at the detention center, was pronounced dead on Saturday by medical workers at University Hospital in Newark, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement. Lopez-Cornejo “experienced a medical emergency while in ICE custody,” and GEO Group facility staff and medical staff “responded immediately and called 911 for emergency medical services,” ICE said. The official cause of death remains pending further medical examination, the agency added. Delaney Hall has been at the center of allegations of inhumane conditions for detainees, which led to dayslong protests earlier this year and clashes between law enforcement and protesters that prompted the city’s mayor to enact a temporary curfew. The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly denied elected officials’ claims of unacceptable conditions at Delaney Hall.
Ryan Murphy/Reuters
The Fuego volcano erupts in Alotenango, Guatemala, early on Tuesday, August 4. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F04%2Famericas%2Fguatemala-fuego-volcano-evacuations-latam-intl">The eruption</a> forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from nearby towns.
The Fuego volcano erupts in Alotenango, Guatemala, early on Tuesday, August 4. The eruption forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from nearby towns.
Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, left, and FBI Director Kash Patel participate in a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, to announce new Trump administration actions against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel on Wednesday, August 5.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, left, and FBI Director Kash Patel participate in a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, to announce new Trump administration actions against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel on Wednesday, August 5.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Migrants pass through a broken fence on Saturday, August 1, as they leave Spain’s North African exclave of Ceuta, toward the Moroccan town of Fnideq, following an attempted border crossing. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F01%2Feurope%2Fspain-morocco-migrants-intl">Around 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta last week</a>, a mass influx that overwhelmed local authorities. At least 57 people died during the crossings, which prompted tighter border security measures across Europe. Spanish leaders said they were working to expel all those who had entered as quickly as possible, and they said that most migrants had been returned to neighboring Morocco.
Migrants pass through a broken fence on Saturday, August 1, as they leave Spain’s North African exclave of Ceuta, toward the Moroccan town of Fnideq, following an attempted border crossing. Around 50,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta last week, a mass influx that overwhelmed local authorities. At least 57 people died during the crossings, which prompted tighter border security measures across Europe. Spanish leaders said they were working to expel all those who had entered as quickly as possible, and they said that most migrants had been returned to neighboring Morocco.
Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP/Getty Images
This aerial photo, taken on Thursday, July 30, shows people swimming in the Danube River in Prahovo, Serbia, near a sunken World War II-era German warship. Europe’s summer of extraordinary heat and drought <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F07%2F31%2Fclimate%2Fshrinking-rivers-reveal-past-relics-in-europe">has pushed some of its rivers to record lows</a>, revealing long-submerged relics from ancient bones to century-old shipwrecks.
This aerial photo, taken on Thursday, July 30, shows people swimming in the Danube River in Prahovo, Serbia, near a sunken World War II-era German warship. Europe’s summer of extraordinary heat and drought has pushed some of its rivers to record lows, revealing long-submerged relics from ancient bones to century-old shipwrecks.
Djordje Kojadinovic/Reuters
Tomoko Takaoka sits in a tent with her pet dogs Ku and Sheri at a shelter for evacuees in Kumamoto, Japan, on Friday, July 31. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F07%2F28%2Fworld%2Fjapan-earthquake-maps-charts-vis">An earthquake last week</a> forced them to evacuate their home.
Tomoko Takaoka sits in a tent with her pet dogs Ku and Sheri at a shelter for evacuees in Kumamoto, Japan, on Friday, July 31. An earthquake last week forced them to evacuate their home.
Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
A herd of cattle walks along a field of dry grass in Ashford, England, on Tuesday, August 4. A large stretch of central, eastern and southern England are enduring a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F07%2F30%2Fuk%2Fengland-drought-heatwaves-wildfires-intl">“flash drought”</a> brought on by a mix of high temperatures and low rainfall, the Environment Agency announced last week.
A herd of cattle walks along a field of dry grass in Ashford, England, on Tuesday, August 4. A large stretch of central, eastern and southern England are enduring a “flash drought” brought on by a mix of high temperatures and low rainfall, the Environment Agency announced last week.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Golf tees are pinned in Lydia Ko’s hair during the second round of the Women’s Open Championship on Friday, July 31. The tournament was held in Lytham St Annes, England.
Golf tees are pinned in Lydia Ko’s hair during the second round of the Women’s Open Championship on Friday, July 31. The tournament was held in Lytham St Annes, England.
Jon Super/AP
Trees are burned by a wildfire near Agia Paraskevi, Greece, on Sunday, August 2. Europe has always had wildfires, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F07%2F29%2Fclimate%2Feurope-wildfires-new-fire-era">but they are becoming increasingly extreme</a> as the climate crisis tightens its grip.
Trees are burned by a wildfire near Agia Paraskevi, Greece, on Sunday, August 2. Europe has always had wildfires, but they are becoming increasingly extreme as the climate crisis tightens its grip.
Stelios Misinas/Reuters
A polar bear rests on ice cubes that were brought to its enclosure at the Prague Zoo in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday, July 30.
A polar bear rests on ice cubes that were brought to its enclosure at the Prague Zoo in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday, July 30.
David W Cerny/Reuters
US President Donald Trump, center, holds a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F07%2F31%2Fpolitics%2Fcamp-david-trump-cabinet-iran">Cabinet meeting at Camp David</a> in Maryland on Friday, July 31. Sitting with Trump, from left, are Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.
US President Donald Trump, center, holds a Cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland on Friday, July 31. Sitting with Trump, from left, are Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
A diver trains near Paris’ Eiffel Tower during the European Aquatics Championships on Wednesday, August 5.
A diver trains near Paris’ Eiffel Tower during the European Aquatics Championships on Wednesday, August 5.
Julian De Rosa/AFP/Getty Images
US Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, attends a committee vote Tuesday, August 4, on Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general. The committee voted to <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F04%2Fpolitics%2Ftodd-blanches-confirmation-expected-revitalize-doj-investigations">advance Blanche’s nomination</a> to the full Senate.
US Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, attends a committee vote Tuesday, August 4, on Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general. The committee voted to advance Blanche’s nomination to the full Senate.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Firefighters work at a site of a Russian missile strike near Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, August 5. At least 17 people were killed and dozens were wounded in Kyiv and surrounding areas overnight as Russia fired more than two dozen ballistic and anti-ship missiles, none of which were intercepted by Ukrainian defenses. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F05%2Feurope%2Frussia-ukraine-kyiv-attack-intl-hnk">The deadly assault</a> underlines the worsening danger for urban civilians far from the front lines as Ukraine grapples with perilously low stocks of missile interceptors.
Firefighters work at a site of a Russian missile strike near Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, August 5. At least 17 people were killed and dozens were wounded in Kyiv and surrounding areas overnight as Russia fired more than two dozen ballistic and anti-ship missiles, none of which were intercepted by Ukrainian defenses. The deadly assault underlines the worsening danger for urban civilians far from the front lines as Ukraine grapples with perilously low stocks of missile interceptors.
Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters
The remains of 112 men, women and children — almost all of them from two large families killed nearly three years ago in an Israeli strike — are draped in Palestinian flags during their funeral in Gaza City on Tuesday, August 4. The remains were recently recovered from the war-torn rubble after search-and-rescue teams were allowed to begin combing through the debris last month.
The remains of 112 men, women and children — almost all of them from two large families killed nearly three years ago in an Israeli strike — are draped in Palestinian flags during their funeral in Gaza City on Tuesday, August 4. The remains were recently recovered from the war-torn rubble after search-and-rescue teams were allowed to begin combing through the debris last month.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
Italian artistic swimmers Filippo Pelati and Lucrezia Ruggiero perform at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris on Sunday, August 2.
Italian artistic swimmers Filippo Pelati and Lucrezia Ruggiero perform at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris on Sunday, August 2.
Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
Fire retardant coats a neighborhood in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, August 2. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F06%2Fweather%2Fspokane-wildfires-washington-northwest-forecast-climate">Wildfires near Spokane</a> have destroyed hundreds of homes and structures.
Fire retardant coats a neighborhood in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday, August 2. Wildfires near Spokane have destroyed hundreds of homes and structures.
John Stember/The New York Times
A fly and a butterfly feed on flower nectar at a park in Tallinn, Estonia, on Tuesday, August 4.
A fly and a butterfly feed on flower nectar at a park in Tallinn, Estonia, on Tuesday, August 4.
Sergei Grits/AP
Shiite Muslims gather during a Chehlum procession in Lahore, Pakistan, on Tuesday, August 4. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain at the 7th-century Battle of Karbala.
Shiite Muslims gather during a Chehlum procession in Lahore, Pakistan, on Tuesday, August 4. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain at the 7th-century Battle of Karbala.
Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
A dog named Rusty competes in the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, California, on Saturday, August 1.
A dog named Rusty competes in the World Dog Surfing Championships in Pacifica, California, on Saturday, August 1.
Godofredo A. Vasquez/AFP/Getty Images
Ibrahim al-Dabba, head of the Beekeepers Cooperative in Gaza, tends to beehives with his sons on the roof of a destroyed building in Gaza City on Wednesday, August 5. Gaza remains mired in a severe humanitarian crisis, and despite a fragile cease-fire reached between Israel and Hamas in October, efforts to bring the war to a definitive end have stalled for months.
Ibrahim al-Dabba, head of the Beekeepers Cooperative in Gaza, tends to beehives with his sons on the roof of a destroyed building in Gaza City on Wednesday, August 5. Gaza remains mired in a severe humanitarian crisis, and despite a fragile cease-fire reached between Israel and Hamas in October, efforts to bring the war to a definitive end have stalled for months.
Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images
Oratile Mpitso rehearses at the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town on Tuesday, August 4, ahead of the South African International Ballet Competition.
Oratile Mpitso rehearses at the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town on Tuesday, August 4, ahead of the South African International Ballet Competition.
Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images
Migrants wait in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, on Tuesday, August 4, after disembarking from a French rescue ship that <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F08%2F04%2Feurope%2Fenglish-channel-fire-boat-intl">saved them after their boat caught fire</a> during an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to Britain. More than 150 migrants were rescued.
Migrants wait in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, on Tuesday, August 4, after disembarking from a French rescue ship that saved them after their boat caught fire during an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to Britain. More than 150 migrants were rescued.
Sameer A-Doumy/AFP/Getty Images
Farmers transport freshly harvested shallow-water lotus roots in Nantong, China, on Monday, August 3.
Farmers transport freshly harvested shallow-water lotus roots in Nantong, China, on Monday, August 3.
CN-STR/AFP/Getty Images
The Bahamas' Rhema Otabor prepares to throw a javelin while competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday, August 1.
The Bahamas' Rhema Otabor prepares to throw a javelin while competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday, August 1.
Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
Singer Katy Perry performs inside a giant plastic bottle at the Sunny Hill Festival in Pristina, Kosovo, on Friday, July 31.
Singer Katy Perry performs inside a giant plastic bottle at the Sunny Hill Festival in Pristina, Kosovo, on Friday, July 31.
Valdrin Xhemaj/Reuters
Children cool off in fountains at a park in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, on Thursday, July 30. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2026%2F07%2F30%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Fphotos-this-week-july-23-july-30">See last week in 33 photos</a>.
Children cool off in fountains at a park in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, on Thursday, July 30. See last week in 33 photos.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters