Wildfire housing & relief resources
Every link verified · 2026-09-02 · updated while the emergency lasts
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For everything else, start with 211 (call, or text 898211) — a live person who knows what's open today. This page is a free directory we're maintaining for our neighbors; we are a real-estate team, not a government agency, and nothing here requires signing up for anything. Details change fast — call ahead before driving.
If you need help right now
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Free statewide helpline connecting displaced families to housing, food, financial help, and mental-health support — including this fire's temporary-housing programs.
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Spokane Community Resources hub
The official catalog for this event — 180+ organizations across 16 categories, updated daily by the City, County, Spokane Public Schools, Innovia Foundation, and the Red Cross. Don't scroll it end to end: jump straight to a category (food, legal, mental health, transportation, language help) or use its 'Where do I start?' pathway — and if you'd rather talk to a person, 211 navigates the same list with you.
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American Red Cross — find an open shelter
Live map of currently open shelters. Everything is free and no ID is required — walk in for a meal, a shower, phone charging, or an overnight stay.
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Check your evacuation zone (official SREC map)
Type in an address to see its current evacuation level — the authoritative Spokane County map, updated by fire incident command and 911 dispatch.
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ALERT Spokane — emergency notifications
Register your phone or email for official evacuation alerts for any Spokane County address (links to neighboring counties' systems, including Kootenai).
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Nonprofit real-time wildfire map with evacuation orders, shelters, and verified incident updates — on the web or the iOS/Android app.
Shelters open now
Re-verified Aug 22 — three weeks in, shelters are consolidating as families move to longer-term housing. ALWAYS check the Red Cross locator or call 211 before driving.
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Spokane Convention Center — main Red Cross shelter changes daily — call ahead
Overnight stays, hot meals, showers, and phone charging; no ID asked, and household pets stay with their families.
334 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane
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Spokane County Fair & Expo Center — RVs, livestock & pets changes daily — call ahead
Evacuated RVs and trailers plus livestock and pet sheltering (bring carriers for dogs and cats); Spokane HEART runs the animal side and keeps a public lost-and-found list.
404 N Havana St, Spokane — enter via the Red Gate off Broadway Ave (509) 477-2533 (SCRAPS line for urgent animal medical needs)
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Family Promise of Spokane — families & expectant mothers changes daily — call ahead
24-hour shelter for families and expectant mothers — check ShelterMeSpokane.org or call 211 for current bed availability.
2002 E Mission Ave, Spokane
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Daytime respite — free YMCA showers changes daily — call ahead
Free showers and temporary respite for evacuees at the North, South, Valley, and Central YMCA locations — weekdays 8am–5pm, bring ID.
Temporary housing
These are the paths that are actually open right now — most are free, and none of them involve us or any fee.
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Free temporary stays via 211 + Airbnb.org changes daily — call ahead
Free temporary emergency housing for households displaced by these fires — Spokane, Stevens, Chelan, Okanogan, Yakima, and Ferry counties plus the Spokane, Colville, and Yakima tribal communities. Call 211 to be matched with a specialist.
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$1M city rental & housing assistance — via Goodwill (NEW) changes daily — call ahead
Announced Aug 21: $1 million in state Commerce funds, administered by Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest — rental assistance, utilities, leasing costs, plus flexible help (furniture, medical devices, gas). Households at or below 120% of area median income qualify (about $90K–$108K for a household of three). Public enrollment has NOT opened yet (verified Aug 24 — no application page exists; the city and Goodwill are identifying eligible residents first). Two things to do NOW: call 311 to get on the city's radar, and SAVE EVERY RECEIPT — rent, utilities, furniture, gas — because covered expenses backdate to July 31 and funds run through January 2027. Goodwill's main line: (509) 838-4246. We'll link the application here the day it opens.
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Spokane Housing Authority — Community Housing Board
A free board of donated and reduced-cost rooms, homes, and RV spots offered by locals, plus affordable-rental search tools and relief-fund contacts. Updated through the event.
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Discounted evacuee hotel rates changes daily — call ahead
The Visit Spokane / Spokane Hotel Motel Association list of hotels offering reduced evacuee and first-responder rates — availability changes daily, so contact properties directly.
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Your insurance may pay for housing right now (Loss of Use)
Most homeowner and renter policies include Loss of Use / Additional Living Expenses coverage — it pays for hotels, food, and transportation while you're displaced, including during an evacuation order. The state's free consumer line can help if your insurer balks.
1-800-562-6900 (WA Insurance Commissioner consumer line, M–F 8:30–4:30)
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Beyond shelters: Red Cross caseworkers help with short-term lodging, essentials, and recovery planning — free, no documentation required.
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REALTORS® Relief Foundation wildfire grants (NEW) changes daily — call ahead
Spokane REALTORS® is administering a $500,000 REALTORS® Relief Foundation grant for households affected by the fires in Spokane, Stevens, and Lincoln counties — up to $1,000 per household toward a mortgage payment, rent, or hotel costs. You do NOT need to be a REALTOR. First come, first served; the application window closes Nov 4, 2026, so apply early.
The application is picky about uploads — our step-by-step guide to getting documents accepted
509-326-9222 (M–F 8:30–4:30, or wildfirerelief@spokanerealtors.com)
Money, food & essentials
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$10,000 Karen Worthy Memorial Wildfire Grant (NEW — apply by Oct 18) changes daily — call ahead
The largest direct household grant of this recovery: a one-time, unrestricted $10,000 for households whose primary residence was destroyed or a total loss in the Old Trails, Autumn Lane, or Fairview fires — homeowners AND renters both qualify. Funded by Walt Worthy in memory of Karen Worthy, verified and paid by the Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group (a local 501c3) with Innovia. Apply on the site; questions to WorthyGrant@SRLTRG.org. Applications close October 18, 2026.
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State wildfire grants — up to $2,250 per household (NEW) changes daily — call ahead
Washington has opened state Individual Assistance for these fires: Household Needs Grants of $750 (one person) up to $2,250 (household of five or more) if your primary residence was destroyed or made uninhabitable. Apply online via the state's page, call 211 for help, or visit an in-person service center — locations and hours are kept current on the page (Nine Mile Falls and north Spokane sites operating as of Aug 22).
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State emergency cash help — DCAP & more (DSHS) changes daily — call ahead
The Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) is STILL OPEN as of Aug 24 — no closing date has been set (it runs until the emergency proclamation ends or funds run out), so don't accept a phone 'it's closed' without checking. Fastest path: start your application online at WashingtonConnection.org, then do the required interview by phone or at a Community Services Office. Ask for the program by its full name — 'Disaster Cash Assistance Program' — and if a rep is unsure, ask them to check with a supervisor. Also via DSHS: shelter/utility help up to $750 (AREN) and Diversion Cash Assistance up to $2,000.
1-877-501-2233 (expect long waits — applying online first is faster)
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Red Cross financial assistance — in-person service centers changes daily — call ahead
Direct financial assistance if your home was destroyed or substantially damaged — apply in person at one of five service centers (locations and hours updated daily on the page, including Westside Church of Nazarene, 2820 W Francis Ave, and the downtown library). Bring any government photo ID — and if yours burned, they'll help you replace it first. Not a loan, and available regardless of citizenship. Página en español incluida.
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Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP)
Spokane's community-action agency, with a wildfire recovery hub plus the long-haul programs displaced families end up needing: housing assistance, energy help, essential home repair, and homelessness prevention.
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Second Harvest Inland Northwest
Free food, no questions asked, through 250+ partner food banks and mobile markets across Eastern Washington and North Idaho — with an active wildfire response and a pantry locator.
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The Salvation Army Spokane Citadel
Hope Market food pantry plus transitional housing services.
222 E Indiana Ave, Spokane (509) 325-6810
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Catholic Charities Eastern Washington
Emergency response team providing essential items, emergency housing assistance, counseling, and longer-term recovery support for families impacted by the fires.
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FEMA — DisasterAssistance.gov changes daily — call ahead
Where households would apply for FEMA grants IF federal individual assistance is approved. As of Aug 22 it is still not open for these fires — the state's major-disaster request is pending. In the meantime, the STATE grants above are open now. Check back or call.
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Washington Governor's wildfire resources hub
The state's one-stop directory for fire survivors: food and cash assistance, tax relief, license replacement, insurance help, rental search, and unemployment benefits — maintained as the event evolves.
Counseling, kids & emotional support
Three weeks in is when the adrenaline wears off and the weight lands. Getting help for that is as practical as any grant application.
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Disaster Distress Helpline — call or text, 24/7
The national 24/7 crisis line specifically for disaster survivors — trained counselors who understand what post-fire stress, grief, and insomnia look like. Free and confidential.
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Extreme Weather Survivors — peer support from people who've been there
A national community of disaster survivors offering free peer-to-peer mentorship — you're paired with someone who has rebuilt after their own fire or flood, plus an active community with insurance advocates and recovery experts answering questions. English and Spanish.
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School help for displaced students — SPS HEART program
Spokane Public Schools' team for students without stable housing — already working with 1,900+ fire-affected households. Your kids can STAY at their own school no matter where you're displaced to, with enrollment help and transportation provided. Reach out before the school year starts if you can.
Insurance, documents & your property
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Wildfire insurance claims — free state help
What fire and smoke damage is covered, how to start a claim, and a state consumer advocacy line that can intervene with your insurer.
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Emergency insurance protections (through Sept 30, 2026) changes daily — call ahead
A state emergency order (Aug 3 – Sept 30, 2026) requires insurers in fire-affected zip codes to give a 45-day premium grace period, waive late fees, and not cancel policies for nonpayment during the emergency.
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Replace a lost or destroyed driver license / ID
Replace online, by phone, or at any licensing office — update your mailing address first, since replacements can't be forwarded.
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HUD disaster resources (FHA homeowners & renters)
FHA foreclosure moratorium and forbearance options after a declaration, plus free HUD-approved housing counseling for any displaced homeowner or renter (1-800-569-4287).
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After the Fire WA — the recovery roadmap
Survivor-led Washington nonprofit with a 2026-fires page (updated through the event): a step-by-step Resident Recovery Guide workbook, debris-cleanup and erosion-control help, and guidance for homeowners and forest landowners on what comes after the emergency.
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Cleanup & debris removal — City of Spokane
The city's cleanup hub: debris-handling safety, disposal locations, and the EPA's FEMA-assigned removal of household hazardous materials (paint, solvents, batteries). Key requirement before touching fire debris: an asbestos survey — see the next entry.
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Asbestos survey BEFORE debris cleanup — Spokane Clean Air
Required before removing debris or ash from a burned structure: an asbestos survey by an AHERA-certified inspector, plus a Notice of Intent filed with Spokane Clean Air (fees and waiting periods are WAIVED for fire-affected properties). Negative survey = you or a contractor may clear the site; positive = a certified abatement company must. Protects your family's lungs during the hardest week of the recovery.
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Property-tax relief for destroyed structures
Spokane County has announced property-tax relief for fire victims — the county news feed carries the current instructions for filing a destroyed-property claim with the Assessor.
Official fire updates
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InciWeb — Spokane Area Fires incident page
The federal incident page for the Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview fires — current acreage, containment, and crew status.
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Spokane County Emergency Management
The county's emergency hub — evacuation map, alert sign-up, evacuation-level definitions, and current assistance announcements.
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City of Spokane — wildfire information
The city's hub for evacuee resources, city-services questions, cleanup, and rebuilding.
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Air quality — Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency
Live local air-quality readings and wildfire-smoke guidance from the local air authority.
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Air quality — AirNow fire & smoke map
The EPA / Forest Service live map of monitors and smoke plumes across the Spokane / Coeur d'Alene area.
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Road closures — WSDOT real-time travel map
Live state-highway closures and alerts, including fire closures.
Know your rights
Displaced families are targets for price gouging and scams in the weeks after a fire. The short version: shelter is an essential, and exploiting a disaster to inflate its price can violate Washington's Consumer Protection Act.
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Report price gouging — WA Attorney General
Sharp rent, hotel, or supply price hikes aimed at fire victims can be pursued by the Attorney General as unfair practices under the Consumer Protection Act. Use the general consumer complaint form and attach screenshots of the price.
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Rent-increase limits in an existing tenancy
Within an existing tenancy, Washington caps rent increases (9.683% for 2026, with 90 days' written notice, and no increase in the first 12 months). The cap does not set the starting rent on a brand-new lease — for that, gouging enforcement above is the protection.
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If your rental is damaged or uninhabitable
When a unit is tagged unsafe or uninhabitable, rent stops (and is refunded pro-rata), and the tenant has the right to end the tenancy immediately.
Watch out for:
- Unsolicited cash offers on fire-damaged property, especially lowball offers pressed with urgency. You never have to decide anything about your land or home while you're displaced.
- Rental listings that demand a deposit before you can see the unit, or 'application fees' collected over payment apps.
- Door-to-door contractors and 'public adjusters' asking for payment up front — verify every license with the WA Department of Labor & Industries before signing anything.
How our team can help — free, always
We're a local real-estate team, which means we spend every day inside the rental and housing market that displaced families now have to navigate. While this emergency lasts, our commitment to anyone affected — client or not:
- Free help finding a rental or temporary housing. No fee, no commission, no obligation — ever. We'll search, make calls, and connect you with landlords we know.
- Fair pricing, enforced on our side of the market. Any rental we assist with is at or below its pre-fire market rate, and if we see gouging we'll report it.
- We will never solicit owners of fire-damaged property. If you want advice about your land, your home, or an unsolicited offer someone else made you, come to us — we won't come to you.
- Free help documenting your property for insurance. Comparable-market data and valuation documentation for total-loss claims, at no charge.
Call us at (509) 999 - 8987, or leave a note below — a person replies, not an automation. We serve everyone equally and follow fair-housing law in every placement we assist with.