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City of Spokane
Community Update
August 11, 2026
| | City Offers Guidance On Safely Returning Home After Fires | | |
Personal Protective Equipment
Residents returning home should be sure to have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes masks, long sleeves, gloves, and protective eyewear.
The vast majority of residents will be returning to a Tier II neighborhoods. It is recommended that residents in these areas wear N95 masks.
A smaller number of residents will return to a Tier I neighborhood. In these areas, public health officials are working hard to deliver the appropriate PPE kits directly to homes.
Free PPE is available tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the following intersections:
- The corner of Windriver Dr., just off Nine Mile Rd.
- The entrance of Woodside Ave., just off Nine Mile Rd.
- Shoulder of Rifle Club Rd., just off Aubrey L White Pkwy.
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Cleaning Your Home
Once residents have the appropriate PPE, they can begin cleaning the inside of their homes.
Guidelines from the Washington State Department of Health includes:
- Wash hard surfaces, floors, and walls with mild, soapy water and a damp cloth. Don’t dry sweep up ash; you don’t want to breathe it in.
- Replace HVAC and air purifier filters and check them frequently in the coming days and weeks for the need to replace.
- Clean and sanitize all exposed dishware, counters, clothes and other textiles.
- Don’t use leaf blowers, mowers, or brooms that throw dust in the air. If you have to vacuum, use a HEPA filter vacuum.
- Outside, avoid disturbing or sifting through contaminated soil or ash until there is further guidance from authorities.
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Natural Gas Service
To get your natural gas back on, an Avista Utilities employee must visit your home when an adult is present, inspect your equipment, and manually relight your appliances. If they are unable to reach you during a restoration visit, they will leave a door tag with instructions for next steps.
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Garbage Service
Residential Collections Resumes Normal Schedule
Residential curbside collections will resume its normal route schedule beginning Wednesday, Aug. 12, and will not be making extra trips outside of the normal route schedule. Residents in impacted areas can put out extra bags for pickup free of charge. Please remember to have garbage carts and extra bags, recycling, and food and yard waste carts out by 6 a.m., as routes are likely to be adjusted due to the additional amounts being collected in impacted areas.
REMINDER: We Cannot Accept:
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No fire debris or ash, or anything damaged by fire, including garbage, recycling, compost carts. Fire-damaged carts will be replaced free of charge by contacting Spokane 3-1-1.
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No bulky items or appliances at this time. Those will be handled differently, and guidance will be provided as soon as possible.
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Water Service
If your water has been turned off, do not try to restore utilities yourself. Call Spokane 311 to have water service safely restored.
After completing a variety of tests for bacteria and other potential contaminants over the last week, the City of Spokane's Water Department is reporting that it is delivering safe and clean water in the areas impacted by fire.
Residents who have been evacuated and haven't used their water for more than a week should flush the water in their house before drinking to avoid issues with stagnant water in their homes. The Water Department recommends flushing water through internal plumbing fixtures to “turn over” the unused water and refresh water from the water main through pipes.
How to Flush Your Plumbing After Returning Home
- Remove faucet aerators from sinks throughout your home. This is a good opportunity to soak them in warm vinegar to help remove mineral buildup and any debris before reinstalling them.
- Turn on all cold-water faucets, one at a time, leaving each running as you move through your home. Turn on the bathtub faucet(s) last. If you only have a shower, turn it on last.
- Allow the water to run just long enough to walk through your home turning on each faucet, then make another pass to turn them all off. This replaces the stagnant water in your plumbing with fresh water from the public water system.
- If applicable, also flush: outdoor hose bibs/spigots, refrigerator water dispenser or ice maker supply, washing machine supply lines, or other infrequently used water fixtures.
- Reinstall the cleaned aerators once flushing is complete.
Click here to learn more.
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California Team 7 Hosting Public Meetings
The California Interagency Incident Management Team 7 and Spokane County Emergency Management are providing daily updates on the Spokane Complex Fire. Information on containment, progress made by firefighters, and mop up operations can be found here.
California Team 7 will host public meetings throughout the Spokane area to share current information and answer questions. All meetings will have an online virtual option for those who cannot attend in person. Click here for more information.
Dates, times, and locations include:
Autumn Lane Fire: District 9, District 4
- Date and Time: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m.
- Location: Mead High School, 302 W Hasting Rd., Spokane, WA 99218
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Community Resource Website
We ask that everyone in our community visit SpokaneCommunityResources.org to connect with any of the following:
- Impacted families seeking resources
- Organizations providing support or seeking volunteers
- Community members interested in volunteering or donating
- Business leaders seeking resources
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Disaster Assistance Center Open Through Wednesday
The Disaster Assistance Center at Shadle Park High School is open daily through Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone affected by the fires is encouraged to attend to connect directly with resources. The City of Spokane recorded videos with more than 20 agencies about the services they can offer at the Disaster Assistance Center. Watch here.
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City of Spokane Wildfire Information Page
The City of Spokane has a wildfire information page to help our community navigate this difficult time. Here you will find resources for evacuees, tips for returning home, frequently asked questions about city services, ways to help, cleanup efforts, and information on rebuilding as it becomes available.
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Register for ALERT Spokane
Register for ALERT Spokane to receive emergency alerts. You can sign up to receive alerts at multiple phone numbers and get a call or text, or you can get a notification via email. To register, visit SCEM.org, and the form is on the page. If you prefer to hear the message in your native language, there are many language options to choose from.
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We Love Spokane
As some of the evacuees have gone home, the Spokane Fire Department has been inundated with thank-yous! We love this sign reading "Thank U SFD You Saved Our Home #ForeverGreatful"
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H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund
The City of Spokane's H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund has raised $470,000 as of 3 p.m. today, Tuesday, Aug. 11. Thank you!
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