AUGUST 2026

Many of our neighbors across Spokane have evacuated, lost homes and are facing uncertainty. Those not directly impacted want to help. There are ways to make a difference right now:


  • Here you will find resources for evacuees, frequently asked questions about city services and ways to help.
  • We have set up the HOME Starts Here Fund to collect monetary donations for wildfire recovery efforts. Those who would like to donate must create a City of Spokane account for security purposes, but they do not need to be a City of Spokane resident or customer. People can also contribute on their utility bill. At last check, we have raised over $125,000! (In less than two days!) 


Community Assembly has decided to cancel the August meeting scheduled for Thurs, Aug 6 out of respect for our neighbors affected. The scheduled presentations will be rescheduled. The Planning Department is not proceeding as usual right now and expects a slow down as they let the community work on the important wildfire issues.


ONS is working on a more formal program where neighborhoods can adopt an affected neighborhood for the next 6-12 months as recovery and rebuild begins. More details will be available in the coming weeks. Please stay safe and take care of one another.


-ONS Team

NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT

Community Programs Coordinator, Amber Groe, shares items of interest for August 2026.

Amber Groe joins us from the Cliff Cannon Neighborhood. This neighborhood is nestled on the lower south hill with a beautiful bluff to the east overlooking the Latah Valley. She shares resources on how to stay safe during hot weather events and the latest on disposal passes for the Waste-to-Energy facility available to residents.

We Need Your Feedback - Workshops for the Summit! Many of our neighborhood leaders and community volunteers have submitted workshop proposals to present at the 2026 Spokane Neighborhood Summit. We have more proposals than workshop slots available, so that’s where you come in. We need your help reviewing and ranking workshop proposals. The deadline to review and rank Summit workshop proposals is Monday, August 17.


Review Workshops

Rank Workshops


Save the date for the 2026 Spokane Neighborhood Summit, scheduled for Saturday, November 7 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Hemmingson Center (Gonzaga Campus).

The Neighborhood Beautification Project will pause for the remainder of this program year in order to maintain enough funding for clean-up programming for neighborhood events and the disposal pass program this fall. Shoutout to the Neighborhood Councils who hosted Beautification Projects in 2026: Audubon-Downriver, Browne’s Addition, East Central, Emerson Garfield, Latah-Hangman, Lincoln Heights, North Indian Trail, West Central.

District 2 Connect with Council: District 2 residents are invited to Connect with Council on September 10, 2026 at 6 – 7pm at the Event Shelter at Ben Burr Park (4404 S Havana St).


Hosted by Southgate Neighborhood Council, City Councilmembers Paul Dillon and Kate Tellis will be in attendance to meet and talk with residents of District 2. Anyone is welcome.  

Unity in the Community is celebrating 32 years as the region's largest multi-cultural celebration! Join the group on August 15, 2026 – 10 am to 3 pm – Riverfront Park.

We know that things aren't business as usual right now. The list below is the most updated that we have. If your NC or CA committee decides not to meet, please let ONS know. We'll update the shared calendar and help notify your NRO and City Council members.

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (NC) DATES:

  • August 4- Cliff Cannon NC
  • August 4- Rockwood NC NO MEETING
  • August 11- West Hills NC
  • August 11- Nevada Heights NC
  • August 11- North Indian Trail NC NO MEETING
  • August 12- Emerson-Garfield NC
  • August 12- Peaceful Valley NC NO MEETING
  • August 12- West Central NC NO MEETING
  • August 13- Southgate NC NO MEETING
  • August 13- Bemiss, Hillyard, Whitman NC
  • August 13- North Hill NC
  • August 13- Minnehaha NC
  • August 18- East Central NC
  • August 18- Comstock NC
  • August 18- Lincoln Heights NC
  • August 18- Riverside NC
  • August 19- Chief Garry Park NC NO MEETING
  • August 20- Audubon/Downriver NC NO MEETING
  • August 20- Browne's Addition
  • August 20- Shiloh Hills NC


COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY (CA) & EVENT DATES:

  • August 6- Community Assembly (CA) CANCELLED DUE TO WILDFIRE DISASTER
  • August 11- CA Liaison MEETING MAY BE CANCELLED. CHAIR UNDECIDED.
  • August 15- CA Building Stronger Neighborhoods
  • August 24- CA Budget
  • August 25- CA Admin
  • August 25- CA PeTT
  • August 27- CA Land Use

The Standing Committees of the Community Assembly are smaller groups that represent many different interests citizens may have. Everyone is welcome to be a member of the standing committees you do not have to be a member of the Community Assembly to get involved. Learn more here.

CITY UPDATES

Update on Cycle 13 Traffic Projects: Funded by red-light camera funds, these projects started on Monday, Aug. 3. Crews will be working at the following locations.

  • Lacey Street from Wellesley to Wabash Avenues
  • Lacey Street from Wellesley to Hoffman Avenues
  • Queen Avenue from Regal to Havana Streets
  • Queen Avenue from Haven to Market Streets
  • F Street from Gordon Avenue from Northwest Boulevard
  • F Street from Northwest Boulevard to Glass Avenue


Improvements include installing Rectangle Rapid Flashing Beacons, curb bumpouts, Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, bus pads, and hi-visibility Zicla zebra crosswalks, promoting a walkable and accessible community.

 

These projects were approved under this resolution in 2025. For details on projects throughout Spokane County visit: www.srtc.org

Spokane City Council Changed Meeting Days: If you have ever attended, watched, or planned to speak at a Spokane City Council meeting, this affects you. Click here for more information. Last month, Spokane City Council changed meeting days.

  • Council Agenda Review Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
  • Council Committee Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
  • Council Legislative Sessions will be on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. 

Light Up Those Dark Areas on Your Property: Don’t forget--Spokane homeowners can request a FREE motion detecting, solar light to illuminate the darkened areas of your neighborhoods for safety. Like the Disposal Passes, applicants can log into their Spokane 311 account to request a light and then visit City Hall to pick it up. Note--these are back in stock after the first wave of requests, so get yours now!


Click here to get your light today.


RESOURCES & MORE

CITY SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS DURING FIRE RESPONSE
What you need to know and how Spokane 311 can help.


The City of Spokane is adjusting services as the community responds to impacts of the Spokane Complex Fire. Public Works infrastructure systems are impacted in various ways and will impact City utility customers. Here is what you need to know and can expect.


Solid Waste Collections (garbage, recycling, food & yard waste)


  • Residential curbside and commercial solid waste collections will not occur in Level 3 evacuation zones.
  • Residential customers in the current Level 3 evacuation zones can put extra bags out on their normal collection days once their areas are downgraded and they can return. Additional bags of garbage will be accepted free of charge.
  • Residents who subscribe to Food and Yard Waste collection service should remove spoiled food from packaging before placing it in their green cart. 
  • Customers who have collection carts damaged by the fire can have them replaced free of charge. They should report them to Spokane 311 by submitting a Start or Change Request at Spokane311.org. Indicate that your cart is missing or broken due to the fire. 
  • Residential curbside and commercial solid waste collections in Level 2 and Level 1 evacuation areas are on their normal schedule.


The Waste to Energy Facility is operating as usual. 


Water Service

The City has turned off water service to some properties in heavily impacted areas for various reasons, including running water, during initial response. As a result, once Level 3 evacuation zones are downgraded and residents return to their homes, they may not have water service. To restore water service if it is shut off, please contact Spokane 311 by phone or online.


The City's water system has maintained fire response levels and pressure zones, while continuing to distribute water to households despite system damage and obstacles in heavily impacted areas from the wildfires. Crews are actively in the field assessing the system and properties to maintain system efficiency and testing water quality.


Utility Bills

City utility bills are going out normally; fire-impacted properties can contact Spokane 311 about applicability of charges. If you have other questions about your City utility bill, availability of services, charges resulting from leaks or meter damage, or other concerns please contact Spokane 311.


Possible Water in Basements

Some properties may have water in basements. If residents experience this when returning to homes, they may file a Claim for Damages with the City. Private water and fire damage service providers will not be allowed to access homes and properties that are still in Level 3 evacuation zones.


Streets & Trees

The Street Department has driven most of the impacted areas within the City of Spokane. While they have not received many reports of debris in the right of way, there have been reports of large trees that have been damaged by the fire and deed to be assessed and possibly removed. Please report compromised trees that could impact the right of way to Spokane 311 so the Urban Forestry team can be notified.



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