Three major wildfires that ignited in Spokane, Wash., a little over a week ago have left widespread destruction across the county in what Mayor Lisa Brown called the “worst natural disaster” in the city’s history. The fires continued burning throughout the week—and although some homeowners were able to return to their homes, on Monday, others remain under evacuation orders and the full extent of the damage remains unknown.
This is not the first time Spokane has been affected by wildfires. The county also experienced wildfires in 1889, 1991 and 2023. Although rebuilding is not new to the community, the path to recovery remains long and difficult.
Likely Strain on Housing Supply
Tiffany Claxton, CEO of Spokane REALTORS® and a REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) board member, estimates that rebuilding will take three to five years. As of Aug. 5, Claxton said roughly 11,000 residential acres had burned in Spokane, while 10,000 homes remained at risk of destruction. (News reports Monday showed an estimated 900 structures had been damaged or destroyed so far, with one fire at 73% containment and two at 53% containment.) The property losses from this disaster could further strain an already limited housing supply. According to Claxton, the market was already 25,000 homes short of meeting housing demand before the fires. Although no fatalities have been reported, approximately 67,000 residents have been evacuated, leaving many uncertain about the future of their homes, neighborhoods and daily lives.
While nearly 2,000 firefighters continue containment efforts, Spokane REALTORS®, led by President Lee McIntyre, have begun coordinating local relief. On the association’s wildfire relief resources page, individuals and families affected by the wildfires can find five brokerage locations across Spokane serving as donation pickup centers. At these locations, residents can access supplies to help meet their most immediate needs. The association has also created internal grants specifically designed to support REALTORS® affected by the fires.
Beyond donation efforts, Spokane REALTORS® have organized local resources into six need-based categories on their website, connecting residents with organizations that provide clothing, shelter, food, showers, animal rescue and other emergency assistance.
Relief Money Earmarked
The REALTOR® Relief Foundation has also stepped in to help Spokane REALTORS® and Washington REALTORS® meet needs beyond their immediate capacity by providing fundraising support and disaster relief grants. Although neither Washington REALTORS® nor Spokane REALTORS® can accept direct charitable donations, RRF has established a special text-to-give option and QR code for individuals who want to contribute. The National Association of REALTORS® covers RRF's administrative expenses, allowing every donated dollar to go directly toward disaster relief and recovery assistance.
Individuals and organizations interested in helping can donate by texting RRF4WA to 71777 or by scanning the QR code below.
On Wednesday, Aug. 5, the RRF board of directors approved an initial $500,000 grant request from Spokane REALTORS® to be used for local relief efforts. RRF President Greg Hrabcak says the foundation expects to continue supporting Spokane as officials assess the full extent of the damage, and the community's specific needs become clearer.
The goal, Hrabcak says, is to get grant money “into the hands of families” as quickly as possible so they can use it to meet their “immediate needs.”
Local Associations Rally
Led by Claxton, Spokane REALTORS® will oversee outreach, application collection and the initial review of relief fund requests. Applicants can apply for grant funding through the association’s website or at any of the five brokerages serving as donation centers. Once an application is approved locally, RRF will verify the applicant’s eligibility and credibility before the funds are distributed directly to the Spokane REALTORS® for delivery to disaster victims.
Through advocacy and coordination, REALTOR® associations across the region are also working to help individuals and families regain stability and begin rebuilding. Associations in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Kitsap County, Wash.; Seattle; King County, Wash.; Yakima County, Wash.; and the Tri-Cities have begun organizing support for Spokane-area residents affected by the wildfires. These efforts include hosting a gift card drive in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and collecting donations at an upcoming Kitsap County, Wash., event on Aug. 19.
