Friends and neighbors,
As evacuation orders are downgraded, the City of Spokane is offering guidance on how to safely return home. Residents returning home should have the proper personal protective equipment. This includes masks, long sleeves, gloves, and protective eyewear. The Spokane Regional Health District advises residents whose homes are still standing to look for smoke, ash, and damaged utilities. Visit SRHD’s “After a Wildfire” website to find guidance on what to look for in terms of potential hazards in your home. Information on free personal protective equipment, guidance on cleaning your home, instructions on flushing your water system, garbage service updates, natural gas service updates, and more can be found here.
Community meetings
The California incident management team will host public meetings Monday through Thursday throughout the Spokane area. All meetings will have a virtual option via the Spokane Area Fires Facebook page or the California Team 7 YouTube page for those who cannot attend in person.
Fairview Fire
📅 Monday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m.
📍 Union Event Center: 12508 N Market Street, Mead, WA 99021
Old Trails Fire
📅Tuesday and Thursday, Aug. 11 and 13 at 6 p.m.
📍 Shadle Park High School: 4327 N Ash Street, Spokane, WA 99205
Autumn Lane Fire
📅 Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. (Stevens County)
📍Lakeside High School: 5909 WA-291, Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026
Autumn Lane Fire
📅Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. (Spokane County)
📍Mead High School: 302 W Hastings Road, Spokane, WA 99218
Disaster Assistance Center open through Wednesday
Whether you need help navigating recovery resources, finding support services, or just getting questions answered, dozens of agencies are available daily through Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Disaster Assistance Center at Shadle Park High School. The website SpokaneCommunityResources.org also offers resources for people seeking assistance. I am so grateful to all the community organizations and volunteers who have mobilized to support fire victims and evacuees.
Ongoing state support
Today, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an emergency proclamation suspending certain state laws to help those impacted by Washington’s devastating wildfires. The proclamation expands access to the state’s disaster cash assistance program, increases access to vital documents lost in the fires, makes it easier to get unemployment benefits, and temporarily suspends regulatory requirements for health care facilities and providers so health care remains accessible. It also eases requirements for businesses to help them remain viable beyond the disaster. You can learn more here and watch the full press conference on the state’s wildfire response here.
I appreciate the continued focus on the wildfire emergency in Spokane and across the state of all elected officials. Last week, the federal government granted Ferguson’s request for a federal emergency declaration for six counties and three Tribal nations in Eastern Washington, unlocking help for local governments with costs for evacuating and providing emergency shelters for those displaced by the wildfires. It also provides assistance for emergency food and water, search and rescue operations, and more. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also approved the Governor’s request to declare a Public Health Emergency, which increases access to health care and critical services for those impacted by wildfires. This will speed up the replacement of lost medications and medical supplies, reduce paperwork and authorization requirements, allow for alternative care settings, and temporarily relax other requirements and service limits.
I will be sure to keep you updated as the wildfire situation continues to evolve. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for frequent updates and helpful information. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Marcus.Riccelli@leg.wa.gov.
It is an honor to serve you, and Stay Strong Spokane!
Sen. Marcus Riccelli
