Washington state fires destroy hundreds of buildings and force Spokane-area residents to evacuate

Wildfires in and around Spokane, Washington burned about 12.5 square miles and destroyed at least 600 buildings by Monday.

About 67,000 people were under evacuation orders, and nearly 300 missing person reports were initially filed, but all but 14 were cleared.

The Spokane-area wildfires were completely uncontained, according to Courtney James of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Residents like Miriam and Daniel Sim, who lived in their home since 2005, returned to find their house leveled, with only chimneys left standing in some cases.

Authorities urged people not to fly drones near burned areas, as it could delay aerial firefighting operations.