Spokane: Wildfires raging in the suburbs of Spokane, Washington, for a third consecutive day have destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes in and around the state's second-largest city, according to officials on Monday.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the fires have scorched more than 8,000 acres since Saturday, in and around the suburbs of Spokane, a city of approximately 230,000 residents. Officials said evacuation orders now cover about 64,000 people, a sharp increase from roughly 4,000 the previous day.

Authorities confirmed that at least 700 buildings, most located in residential areas, have been destroyed. Infrared aerial surveys also indicate that an additional 400 structures may have been damaged or destroyed.