SPOKANE, Wash. — Officials confirm at least 846 structures have been destroyed by the wildfires in the Spokane area.
Sheriff John Nowels addressed evacuations that remain.
“We are not going to be downgrading these zones in any large way for many many days to come.”
Nowels says it’s the biggest point of contention with the community right now, where people are asking to go home or trying to get by road blocks.
“We are not doing this for no good reason….there’s a high likelihood with the upcoming weather an ember could spark another fire.”
SPS is directing people to: spokaneresources.org to find out how to donate and where to get help.
You can find a link to donate money there. If you’d like to donate something else, you’re asked to NOT drop them off. Instead, there are forms you can fill out, and SPS can direct them to the right nonprofit or location.
There will be a disaster assistance center for fire victims at Shadle Park High School set up Thursday. It’ll be open tomorrow from noon to 6 p.m. and then it will be open from 9-6 on Friday through Sunday. Schedule going forward will be evaluated based on the demand for next week.
In a press conference, Sheriff Nowels said the other two fire causes are being investigated but that one of the two is likely an accidental start.
Fire leaders say there are now 1,500 firefighters in the area staying at the base camp which will be transitioning to the county fairgrounds in the next couple days.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.