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Spokane Wildfire Recovery: Insurance Help, Emergency Protections and Local Resources

Published on: August 4, 2026

Last updated: September 6, 2026

Spokane-area communities are continuing to recover from the August wildfires. Assistance programs, deadlines and available services may change, so check current agency pages before relying on a location, schedule or benefit.

Update: September 14 event

Wildfire survivors can get in-person insurance help at a free claims workshop on Monday, Sept. 14. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner will bring claims experts to Spokane to answer questions and help residents work through the recovery process.

  • Date: Monday, Sept. 14, 2026
  • Time: 6-8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Spokane Falls Community College, Building 24, sn-w’ey-mn, Auditorium Room 110, 3410 W. Whistalks Way, Spokane
  • Cost: Free
  • Parking: Evening parking is free and no parking pass is needed.
  • Registration: Register for the Sept. 14 workshop.

The workshop will cover what survivors may face during the first month of the claims and recovery process. The National Insurance Crime Bureau will provide fraud and scam prevention tips, while United Policyholders will share recovery practices for wildfire survivors. A presentation will be followed by 90 minutes of questions and answers, including one-on-one assistance.

This is part of an OIC wildfire claims workshop series scheduled to continue monthly through December. The OIC also posts recordings and materials from earlier workshops. Employers may want to share the event with employees or family members managing wildfire-related insurance claims.

Where to find help in the Spokane area

Recovery programs, locations and available services continue to change. These resources are good starting points for current information:

  • Local recovery resources: Visit Spokane Community Resources and the Spokane County wildfire recovery page for current assistance, distribution sites and agency updates.
  • Cleanup, rebuilding and documents: Spokane County’s Spokane Complex Fires Next Steps Resource Guide includes information about hazardous-material removal, demolition, rebuilding, fire reports and replacement identification or vital records.
  • Red Cross assistance: The American Red Cross may be able to help with emergency needs and recovery resources. Visit its disaster relief and recovery page or call 800-733-2767.
  • Animals: Spokane County lists resources from SCRAPS, Spokane HEART and SpokAnimal for lost animals, temporary care and other fire-related needs. Check the county recovery page for current contacts and availability.
  • Emergency updates: Follow Spokane County updates and check your address on the official evacuation map if new fire activity or evacuation notices are issued.

Earlier local reporting from KREM documented evacuation and shelter resources associated with the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire and Autumn Lane Fire. Those articles remain useful records of the initial response, but use the current resources above for active locations and services.

For people looking to support recovery efforts, the Innovia Foundation Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund supports immediate needs and longer-term recovery through local nonprofit partners.

What to do when it’s safe to assess damage

Don’t enter a restricted or unsafe area to photograph property. Even after flames have passed, damaged power lines, unstable trees, debris, weakened structures, ruptured gas lines and hot materials may remain dangerous.

Once authorities allow you to return, take these steps to protect your claim:

  • Start the claim: Contact your insurance company or agent. Ask for your claim number, assigned adjuster and a list of the information they need.
  • Share your location: Tell the insurer where you are staying and how to reach you if you can’t live at home.
  • Document the damage: Take photos or video before cleaning, moving or throwing anything away, when it’s safe to do so.
  • List what was lost: Create an inventory of damaged or destroyed belongings. Add estimated purchase dates, costs, brands, models and any receipts or older photos you can find.
  • Prevent more damage: Make reasonable temporary repairs, such as covering a broken window or damaged roof, and save the receipts.
  • Wait on major repairs: Avoid permanent work until the insurer has inspected the property or approved the repairs.
  • Track extra expenses: Keep receipts for hotels, meals, laundry, transportation and other costs caused by displacement.
  • Check your coverage: Ask about loss-of-use or additional living expense coverage, including any dollar or time limits.
  • Keep a claim record: Note dates, names, conversations and copies of everything you submit.

Additional living expense coverage generally pays the added cost of living elsewhere, not every household expense. For example, it may cover the difference between your usual food costs and the higher cost of meals while staying in a hotel. Ask your insurer what expenses qualify and what documentation it requires.

The OIC’s steps to take after home damage or a loss provide more detailed guidance.

What to know after filing a claim

  • Inspections: Your insurer may inspect the property in person, request photos or use a virtual inspection. Ask what the company needs before beginning cleanup or permanent repairs.
  • Contractors: You may choose your own contractor, even if the insurance company recommends one.
  • Assignments of benefits: Read any assignment of benefits carefully before signing. It may transfer control of the claim to a contractor and limit your ability to negotiate or change contractors. Learn more from the OIC about assignments of benefits and homeowner claims.
  • Smoke and soot damage: Homeowner or renter insurance may cover cleanup, repairs, damaged belongings or temporary living costs, depending on the policy and loss. Review the OIC’s smoke-damage guidance before beginning extensive cleanup.

Insurance help from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Washington residents don’t have to handle confusing insurance questions alone. The OIC offers several free consumer resources:

The OIC can explain insurance requirements, help consumers understand an insurer’s response and review complaints. It can’t rewrite a policy, independently determine the value of every loss or guarantee that a disputed claim will be paid.

Financial assistance and federal recovery status

Washington has opened two forms of state assistance for eligible wildfire survivors:

  • State Individual Assistance: People whose primary homes were lost or severely damaged may apply regardless of income or insurance status. Review eligibility and application options on Washington’s Wildfire Disaster Assistance page.
  • Disaster Cash Assistance: The Washington Department of Social and Health Services offers emergency cash assistance to qualifying residents who aren’t eligible for other cash programs. Learn more about the Disaster Cash Assistance Program.

As of Sept. 1, federal Individual Assistance is not open for applications. The Aug. 4 FEMA emergency declaration supports state and local response efforts, but it does not by itself make household grants available. Check Washington’s wildfire assistance page for changes to federal or state aid.

Be cautious about unofficial messages asking for fees, banking information or Social Security numbers. Government disaster programs don’t charge people to apply.

Information for employers and employees

Wildfires can disrupt work through evacuations, school closures, smoke exposure and recovery needs. The Greater Spokane Inc. Fire Resources page brings together current information for local employers and employees. Several practical workplace tips below are also courtesy of Archbright.

  • Paid sick leave: Washington employees may be able to use accrued paid sick leave when a wildfire evacuation affects their home or workplace, or when a school or child care provider closes under an emergency declaration. Review Washington L&I’s paid sick leave guidance.
  • Workplace smoke: Employers with workers exposed to wildfire smoke should review Washington’s wildfire smoke requirements, including applicable PM2.5 monitoring, communication and exposure-reduction requirements.
  • Flexibility: Employers may consider remote work or flexible scheduling for eligible employees when recovery needs, smoke or temporary disruptions make normal schedules difficult.
  • Helping coworkers: Employers with existing leave-donation programs may consider reminding employees about them. Others may review whether a program could help employees who need additional time away from work.
  • Business recovery: Greater Spokane’s resource page also links to small-business recovery information, federal and state assistance, agricultural resources and ways businesses can request help.

Health support during smoke and recovery

Watch for smoke-related symptoms

Wildfire smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, irritated eyes and sinuses, headaches, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and worsening of existing heart or lung conditions. Children, older adults, pregnant people and people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or respiratory infections may be especially sensitive.

Call 911 for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain or another medical emergency.

Health care support for eligible BHT members

For eligible BHT member employees and benefit-eligible dependents in the Spokane area who have Nice Healthcare, Nice is another non-emergency option for support. Smoke-related respiratory concerns are within Nice’s primary care scope. A Nice primary care provider can assess symptoms, discuss clinically appropriate prescription or pharmacy adjustments and offer personalized guidance for someone managing asthma or another underlying condition.

Mental health support for eligible BHT members

The emotional effects of a disaster may not appear immediately. Stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion can surface days or weeks later. Nice’s mental health therapy team can provide assessments, coping strategies and ongoing support. When a patient’s needs extend beyond Nice’s scope, the care team can help connect them with additional resources.

Learn more about Nice Healthcare through Business Health Trust.

Kaiser Permanente member resources

Kaiser Permanente members affected by Washington wildfires can use the Spokane wildfire member update for help with care and appointments, mental health support, prescriptions, replacement medical equipment or eyewear, medical financial assistance and community resources. Members can call 1-888-901-4636 for appointment or member support.

Check current fire and air-quality information

Wildfire activity and smoke conditions can change throughout the season, even as Spokane-area recovery continues. Use current sources rather than relying on older reports or social media posts.

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