Spokane Wildfire Recovery & Rebuilding Resources: Where to Start

The recent wildfires have affected so many families across the Spokane area. For those who lost a home or property, the amount of information coming at you right now can be overwhelming: insurance claims, debris cleanup, asbestos testing, contractors, permits, property taxes and eventually the question of whether and how to rebuild.

I recently attended a wildfire rebuilding forum with the Spokane Home Builders Association, City of Spokane, Spokane County, local builders, insurance professionals and disaster recovery experts.

My biggest takeaway was simple: you do not have to figure everything out at once.

There are people and organizations working to help, and there are some important resources every impacted homeowner should know about. I wanted to put as many of them as possible in one place.

1. Start With Cleanup and Asbestos Testing

Before rebuilding can begin, there are several steps that may need to happen first, including EPA cleanup, asbestos testing, demolition permitting and proper debris disposal.

One of the concerns discussed at the forum was the availability of asbestos inspectors and testing labs. With hundreds of properties affected, capacity could become a significant bottleneck. Winter weather could make inspections even more difficult.

The Spokane Home Builders Association has created a wildfire recovery page with information about cleanup, rebuilding, contractors and available assistance:

Spokane Home Builders Association Wildfire Disaster Recovery Resources
https://www.shba.com/disasterrecovery/

2. Be Careful Who You Hire

This was one of the strongest messages from both government officials and builders who have worked through previous wildfire recoveries.

Unfortunately, disasters can attract inexperienced contractors and scammers.

Before hiring a contractor:

• Verify they are properly licensed and bonded.

• Check references and previous projects.

• Ask about their experience with insurance-related construction.

• Be cautious about large upfront payments.

• Carefully review anything involving your insurance proceeds or rights to your insurance claim.

• Be skeptical of anyone promising a timeline that seems too good to be true.

Washington State Labor & Industries allows you to verify a contractor's registration, bond and other information online:

Verify a Contractor with Washington L&I
https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/

Another resource I strongly recommend is the Spokane Home Builders Association Find a Pro directory.

SHBA has been directly involved in the wildfire recovery discussions with the City of Spokane, Spokane County and the local construction industry. Their directory is a good starting point for finding established local builders, remodelers and other construction professionals.

SHBA Find a Pro
https://info.shba.com/findapro

3. Look Into Property Tax Relief Before You Rebuild

One of the most important lessons shared from previous Spokane-area wildfires involved property taxes.

Homeowners may qualify for adjustments or other property-tax relief when a home has been damaged or destroyed.

The important part is not waiting until construction is already underway to start asking questions.

Spokane County has created a page specifically addressing fire disaster relief and property taxes:

Spokane County Fire Disaster Relief
https://www.spokanecounty.gov/5449/Fire-Disaster-Relief

Contact the Spokane County Assessor directly to understand what may apply to your individual property and what deadlines you need to meet.

4. $500,000 in REALTOR® Relief Foundation Assistance

This is one resource I especially want our community to know about.

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation has provided $500,000 in disaster relief assistance for communities affected by the Spokane, Stevens and Lincoln County wildfires.

You do not need to be a REALTOR® to receive this assistance.

Eligible households may be able to receive assistance with housing-related expenses following physical damage to their primary residence, including qualifying mortgage payments, rent due to displacement or hotel expenses.

Applications are currently listed as open through November 4, 2026.

REALTOR® Relief Application & Information
https://spokanerelief.com/grants.html

You can also learn more about the program through Spokane REALTORS®:

https://www.spokanerealtors.com/wildfire-press-release/

5. Additional Wildfire Financial Assistance

The Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group is another important resource for affected families.

The organization is administering the Karen Worthy Memorial Wildfire Grant, providing $10,000 in direct financial assistance to eligible households whose primary residence was destroyed by the Old Trails, Autumn Lane or Fairview fires.

Grant and Spokane Complex Fire Resources
https://srltrg.org/get-help/spokane-complex-fire-resources/

The Long Term Recovery Group can also help people navigate the recovery process through disaster case management and connections to other organizations and programs.

Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group
https://srltrg.org/

If you feel like you don't even know which question to ask first, this can be a good place to start.

6. Understand Your Insurance Before Designing Your New Home

One of the biggest lessons from the insurance professionals at the forum was not to assume the first number or check you receive represents everything potentially available under your policy.

Depending on your individual policy, coverage may be divided into different categories that can potentially include:

• The dwelling itself

• Debris removal

• Required building-code upgrades

• Landscaping

• Personal property

• Additional living expenses

Every policy is different, which is why understanding your coverage before designing or signing a contract for a new home is so important.

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner can help consumers understand their policies and insurance claims.

They are also holding wildfire claims workshops in Spokane where homeowners can receive information and one-on-one assistance.

Washington Wildfire Insurance Claims Workshops
https://www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/current-initiatives/oic-wildfire-claims-workshops

7. If You Have a Mortgage, Understand How Construction Funds Will Be Released

This was a less obvious issue discussed at the forum, but it can become a major problem during construction.

When there is a mortgage on a destroyed home, the mortgage company may control how insurance proceeds are released during the rebuild.

Some lenders release construction money through a limited number of draws rather than providing all of the insurance proceeds upfront.

Before construction begins, homeowners and their builder should understand:

• Who controls the insurance proceeds?

• How many construction draws will there be?

• What inspections are required before money is released?

• How long does each draw typically take?

• How will deposits and subcontractors be paid between draws?

Also, don't automatically assume paying off your existing mortgage is the best option. Homeowners with a low existing interest rate should talk with their lender and financial professionals before making that decision.

8. You May Not Have to Rebuild the Exact Same House

This was encouraging news from both the City and County.

A replacement home does not necessarily have to be an exact replica of the home that was lost.

Officials discussed providing flexibility for things such as floor plans, configurations, existing nonconforming conditions and modest changes in square footage, depending on the property and jurisdiction.

There are also discussions surrounding permitting, fees, energy-code requirements and other accommodations specifically for wildfire rebuilds.

These policies are still developing, so homeowners should verify the current rules for their property before finalizing plans.

9. Don't Rush Into a Rebuilding Decision

Perhaps the most important advice from builders who have already helped communities recover from wildfire was this:

You don't have to make every decision today.

The overall recovery will take time. Previous wildfire recoveries have taken several years from the initial cleanup through the final homes being completed.

There are also practical bottlenecks—cleanup crews, asbestos inspectors, laboratories, designers, permit reviewers, builders and subcontractors can only handle so many properties at once.

Be cautious when someone uses that reality to pressure you into signing a contract because they claim you will otherwise "lose your spot."

Take the time to understand your insurance, your property, your budget and what you actually want to rebuild.

10. Use Local Resources and Ask for Help

If your home or property was affected, there are a lot of people in Spokane working to help.

A few resources worth bookmarking:

Spokane Home Builders Association Wildfire Recovery
https://www.shba.com/disasterrecovery/

SHBA Find a Pro
https://info.shba.com/findapro

Washington L&I Contractor Verification
https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/

Spokane County Fire Disaster & Property Tax Relief
https://www.spokanecounty.gov/5449/Fire-Disaster-Relief

REALTOR® Relief Foundation Assistance
https://spokanerelief.com/grants.html

Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group
https://srltrg.org/get-help/spokane-complex-fire-resources/

Washington Insurance Commissioner Wildfire Resources
https://www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/current-initiatives/oic-wildfire-claims-workshops

We Care About Our Spokane Community

For those who have been personally impacted by these fires, please know that we care about you, your family and what happens next.

There will be plenty of time to talk about houses, construction and rebuilding. Right now, the most important thing is helping people get accurate information and connecting them with trustworthy resources.

If you don't know where to start, reach out. If I don't know the answer, I will do my best to connect you with someone who does.

And if you weren't personally affected, please share this post with someone who was. Getting the right resource into someone's hands at the right time can make an overwhelming process a little easier.

This information is intended as a general community resource. Wildfire recovery programs, eligibility requirements, building regulations and deadlines can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the applicable agency, insurance provider or jurisdiction.