Spokane Complex Fires Rage as Federal Aid Arrives

SPOKANE, Wash. — Hundreds of homes and other structures have been destroyed as three major wildfires now collectively known as the Spokane Complex continue burning across Spokane and Stevens counties.

The Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires had burned approximately 7,700 acres combined by Sunday afternoon, according to the interagency team managing the response. Officials estimated that at least 600 structures had been damaged or destroyed, although assessment teams had not yet completed their work.

About 60,000 people have faced evacuation orders since the fires erupted Saturday. As of Monday morning, officials reported no confirmed deaths or missing people. However, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said crews were still assessing whether anyone had died.

“There are just so many Washingtonians that literally lost everything in a very, very short period of time,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said during a Sunday afternoon news conference. “Just in a matter of hours, their lives changed in deeply dramatic and fundamental ways. And so it’s difficult to find words when folks have experienced a loss like that.”

“There are just so many Washingtonians that literally lost everything in a very, very short period of time.”

GOV. BOB FERGUSON

Officials Unite Fires Under Spokane Complex

Officials are now managing the Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires as the Spokane Complex. The Autumn Lane Fire also includes the incident previously known as the Meadowview Fire.

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews remained on the fire line Monday, assisting regional partners on several of the fires. Meanwhile, firefighters concentrated much of their effort around Barney Coker Canyon within the Autumn Lane Fire footprint.

Very Large Air Tankers and Super Scooper aircraft joined the response Sunday. Fire activity on the Old Trails and Fairview fires had moderated significantly, but authorities described the Autumn Lane Fire as the most active of the three.

The fires started Saturday, Aug. 1, during extreme heat, low humidity and powerful winds. Investigators have not determined their causes.

Cooler temperatures and lighter winds were expected to help crews Monday and Tuesday. However, temperatures could return to the mid- to upper 90s later this week, with relative humidity falling into the lower teens.

Ferguson Seeks Additional Federal Assistance

Ferguson said Sunday that Washington was pursuing two forms of federal assistance. The first would support immediate emergency work, while the second would address long-term recovery.

“We make requests for federal assistance from FEMA,” Ferguson said. “I’m going to oversimplify this a little bit, but there are essentially two kinds of requests. Short-term emergency response, for example, search and rescue, clearing debris.”

Ferguson said the state had already submitted its request after officials identified the most urgent needs on the ground.

“That request has gone in, and we anticipate that that will be granted,” Ferguson said. “We have a good relationship with FEMA. I had a very productive call, and we appreciate FEMA, on extremely short notice, working with us.”

Meanwhile, the state had already begun preparing its request for longer-term recovery support.

“The second piece from FEMA is the more long-term relief,” Ferguson said. “That takes more time. Obviously, we’ve already begun our work on that. I just want to separate out those two things.”

FEMA Approves Immediate Firefighting Assistance

Later Sunday, FEMA approved Washington’s requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants covering the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires around Spokane and the Sinlahekin Fire in Okanogan County.

“Grateful to FEMA for their approval of Fire Management Assistance Grants to provide financial support for the fire response around Spokane, as well as the Sinlahekin Fire,” Ferguson said after the approval.

The three approvals marked Washington’s seventh, eighth and ninth Fire Management Assistance Grants of the 2026 wildfire season.

The grants allow the federal government to cover up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. Those expenses can include equipment, supplies, field camps and the mobilization of firefighting resources.

The grants do not provide direct assistance to homeowners or cover the broader cost of rebuilding damaged communities. Washington’s requests for other immediate emergency assistance and long-term federal recovery support remain separate from the firefighting grants.

Mayor Warns Recovery Will Take Time

Brown described the fires as the worst natural disaster the Spokane region has faced.

“Hundreds of homes and structures have been lost,” Brown said. “We are still assessing the potential for lives to be lost. To the people who are suffering right now in our region from either loss or uncertainty, everyone here, our hearts go out to you. We are here for you for the long term.”

Brown also thanked firefighters and law enforcement officers who had worked more than 24 hours without sleep.

“We are so grateful for you, for those first responders coming from jurisdictions near and far, pulling together mutual aid as you always do,” Brown said. “Now you’re doing it for us, and we so appreciate it.”

Ferguson also thanked the responders who placed themselves in danger to protect residents and property.

“It’s inspiring to me to see folks who take on an extraordinarily challenging situation like this and put their lives on the line to protect individuals, lives and property and loved ones,” Ferguson said.

Evacuation Shelters Remain Available

Evacuation orders remained subject to rapid changes Monday. Residents should rely on official Spokane County and Stevens County emergency maps before returning to evacuated areas.

The Spokane Convention Center at 334 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard is serving people displaced by the Old Trails Fire. Parking is free, and pets are welcome.

Northwood Middle School is serving people displaced by the Fairview Fire. Additionally, the Spokane County Fairgrounds is accepting evacuated animals and has opened its RV grounds for people traveling with animals.

A Red Cross shelter is also operating at Jenkins Junior/Senior High School in Chewelah for people evacuated from southern Stevens County.

The Spokane Complex information line is available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 509-215-8236.

Official Wildfire Response Fund Opens

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office announced an official Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund through Innovia Foundation.

The fund supports nonprofit organizations and community groups meeting immediate and long-term needs created by the fires. Innovia says 100% of each tax-deductible donation will go to vetted nonprofit organizations assisting affected people and families.

Checks may also be made payable to Innovia Foundation with “Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund” written in the memo line and mailed to:

Innovia Foundation
Attn: Spokane Complex Wildfire Response Fund
818 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 650
Spokane, WA 99201

Officials warned donors to use verified organizations as fraudulent fundraising efforts often appear after major disasters.

Smoke Forecast to Return to Western Washington

Changing winds and rising temperatures this week are forecast to shift smoke into Whatcom County and other parts of Western Washington.

Smoke may come from the Border 2 and Luna fires, larger fires east of the Cascades or the Brunswick Creek Complex in British Columbia.

People with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant people face a higher risk from wildfire smoke. Residents can track current conditions at AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map and develop a personal response plan through My Smoke Plan.

Washington officials urged residents statewide to monitor emergency alerts and prepare to evacuate if conditions change.

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