If you've evacuated because of the Spokane Complex fires, or live nearby, this page will help guide you through your immediate to-dos — with support from people who've been through it before.
This page will keep being updated as new information becomes available — check the banner above for the date and time of the last update.
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You may have heard FEMA approved help. So far, that money is for firefighting costs — it does not go to households. The declaration that unlocks help for you and your family hasn't happened yet.
If it comes, it opens specific help — and specific steps. Sign up above and the moment that changes, we'll tell you exactly what it means, what to do first, and how to do it.
What exists right now, before any declaration: your insurance, the Red Cross and 211, and state and local programs. Those don't wait on Washington, D.C.
Status as of Aug 2, 2026
You are not expected to know how to do this, and you do not have to do everything at once. We've broken out your immediate steps and we will follow up with what is next. The best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones is get somewhere stable and safe, eat, and focus on getting some sleep tonight.
Find a place you can stay two weeks or more, if you can. Rents rise immediately after a fire, and needing to move multiple times in a week can cost you precious energy your nervous system needs.
Save every receipt. If you have insurance, these costs can be reimbursed through a specific provision in your policy (we'll explain more below).
Spokane County Emergency Management is where evacuation levels, re-entry, and assistance center locations get announced first. Sign up for Alert Spokane so those alerts reach your phone.
If you don't already have the Watch Duty app, download it to your phone now — real-time fire updates and evacuation orders for this area, and it's free.
When a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) or Local Assistance Center (LAC) opens, that's one building where the agencies come to you — IDs, titles, vital records, one trip. Leave your email and we'll send you the locations as soon as they're confirmed.
Is this page official? No — and that's exactly why we point you to what is.
If you know your home is gone, or if your home is uninhabitable, call your insurer and open the claim. Ask for an advance on temporary housing money — on the phone, the words are “Additional Living Expenses” or “Loss of Use.” Ask in writing, and keep a copy of what you sent.
United Policyholders (uphelp.org) is a nonprofit that helps survivors navigate through the insurance process, for free. Watch out for anyone who wants a cut ↓
If you need basics, go ahead and buy them. Keep your receipts for everything.
And if there are items that would make you feel most like you can establish any kind of routine, or feel like yourself, get them if you can.
We're packaging Washington resources right now. Leave your email and we'll send you what you need, as it becomes relevant. We coordinate with other organizations and experts on wildfire recovery — you can see some more of our partners here.
After every fire, the scammers arrive before the insurance checks do. These are the ways they come into a community:
They show up in burn zones within days, often unlicensed and often from out of state, wanting a large cash deposit and a signature today. Verify anyone before you sign with Washington Labor & Industries' free contractor lookup (lni.wa.gov).
Real disaster workers never charge you a fee, and never need your bank account or Social Security number to "process" your assistance. They carry photo ID, and you are allowed to ask to see it.
Displaced families are the target: a good price, a landlord who is conveniently out of town, and a deposit wired before anyone sees the place. Don't send money for a home you haven't walked through.
Some public adjusters are licensed and legitimate. Many who work a fresh burn zone are neither, and they want a cut of your settlement. Check the license before anyone touches your claim — and remember United Policyholders does this for free.
Urgent links, copied photos, and names built to sound almost like a real organization. Give only through organizations and people you can verify.
If anyone asks for money up front to do their work, be wary. You have time to figure out debris removal.
Water testing, mold, air quality — a free look that turns into an urgent, costly finding and a contract to sign right now. Get a second opinion from someone who isn't selling the fix.
If you feel uncomfortable with pressure that someone offering help is putting you under, trust your gut. Real help doesn't rush you.
Money raised for a specific purpose can create a “duplication of benefits” problem: if a fundraiser says it's for the same thing FEMA or your insurance is paying for, it can affect what you're eligible for.
Wording that works: “Funds to help bridge the gap while I recover.”
Wording to avoid: “to rebuild the house,” “to cover rent or hotel costs,” “to replace everything lost,” “to fix the property.”
Someone who loves you can create the fundraiser for you — you don't have to write your own story while you're in the middle of it. Ask them to add you as a beneficiary (Manage → Add beneficiary) so the money comes straight to you.
Sign up below and we'll send you a message you can forward to them, with the steps and the wording already done.
A national nonprofit that has worked with every megafire community in the country. They are publishing for this fire too — afterthefireusa.org, Instagram, Facebook.
The Barking Lot is accepting pets from people evacuating — 15825 E Trent Ave, Spokane Valley. Call (509) 564-6066 to check availability before you drive.
For large animals, the Spokane County Fairgrounds is open — use the red gate off Broadway. The RV grounds there are open too, for people who evacuated with animals.
988 is free, 24 hours a day, and you do not have to be in crisis to call it.
The AirNow Fire and Smoke Map shows current smoke and air quality wherever you are — useful whether you evacuated or stayed. Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency issues the local alerts.
Smoke reaches far past the burn area. If the air is bad where you're staying, keep windows closed, run a filter if you have one, and keep kids and anyone with asthma or heart conditions indoors.
Official incident updates from the City of Spokane: my.spokanecity.org/fire/operations/incidents
The evacuation shelter is at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane. Parking is free, and pets are welcome.
Shelters move — this is current as of August 2. Check with Spokane County Emergency Management before you go.
Dial 2-1-1 for local help: shelter, food, and what's open near you.
Free, nonprofit help with your insurance claim. Start with their “Roadmap to Recovery.”
Live fire status and evacuation information for this area.
DAC/LAC locations, re-entry timing, and local orders are announced there first.
You don't have to hold all of this in your head. We'll send the right information for your situation, at the right time.
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