Spokane Wildfire Recovery Resources: How Palmer Construction Is Helping Our Community
The wildfires burning across Spokane County over the past week have upended tens of thousands of lives. As of this week, the fires — now being managed together as the Spokane Area Fires — have destroyed several hundred structures and forced the evacuation of an estimated 65,000+ people, with some neighborhoods still under active evacuation orders while others have been downgraded as crews gain ground. Entire blocks of homes are gone. Families who left with only what they could grab in a few minutes are now piecing together what comes next — where to sleep tonight, what to tell their kids, whether the home they grew up in is still standing.
If you’re one of the families affected, or you know someone who is, our hearts go out to you. Nothing in a blog post can undo what this week has cost you, but we wanted to put something useful in front of you anyway: a single, straightforward place to find real help — shelter, financial assistance, and recovery resources — along with what our team at Palmer Construction is doing to support our neighbors here in Spokane Valley. We’ve pulled together the most current, verified resources we could find, and we’ll keep this page updated as the situation changes.
Current Evacuation Status
Evacuation zones and containment levels are changing daily as crews work the fire lines, so rather than list specific boundaries here that could be outdated by the time you read this, check these two continuously updated official sources:
- Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Evacuation Map — the official, real-time source for current evacuation zones and levels in Spokane County
- KHQ’s Spokane Area Fires Tracker — regularly updated with containment percentages, structure counts, and evacuation level changes
If you’re currently under a Level 3 (“Go Now”) order, please don’t wait — leave immediately and call 911 if you’re in immediate danger.
If You've Been Evacuated
- American Red Cross — Greater Inland Northwest Chapter: (509) 326-3330 — 315 W. Nora Ave, Spokane, WA 99205. Visit their Get Help page for current shelter locations, or find a shelter directly at redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
- The City of Spokane’s “Ways to Help” page is being kept current with active shelter, donation, and volunteer information as the situation develops
- Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Wildfire Resource Page — a continuously updated hub connecting evacuated residents with housing, financial, and support resources
For homeowners in Spokane and Spokane Valley, new siding can be a practical way to improve that barrier before summer heat builds. Better siding energy performance comes from choosing materials that fit the home, then installing them with careful attention to edges, corners, and transitions.
Financial and Long-Term Recovery Resources
Once the immediate danger has passed, recovery brings its own set of questions — especially around insurance, temporary housing, and rebuilding.
- Washington’s Insurance Commissioner has representatives on-site in Spokane to help residents with the claims process. As of this week, the OIC and representatives from a dozen insurance companies are available at Shadle Park High School (4327 N. Ash St.) — check the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s wildfire page to confirm current hours before visiting, since this is a temporary resource.
- The Commissioner has also issued an emergency order requiring insurers in affected ZIP codes to provide a 45-day grace period on premium payments, waive late fees, and delay policy nonrenewals — worth knowing if you’re worried about a payment deadline right now.
- If your home sustained fire, smoke, or structural damage, documenting everything now — photos, a room-by-room inventory, receipts for any temporary housing — will make the insurance process considerably smoother later. Don’t throw out damaged items until your insurer has had a chance to inspect them.
How Palmer Construction Is Helping
As a Spokane Valley-based, family-owned company, this community is our home too, and several of our own team members’ neighborhoods have been under evacuation orders this week. We wanted to do something concrete, so our office is serving as a donation drop-off location for anyone who wants to help displaced families.
Drop-off locations:
Palmer Construction
2818 N Sullivan Rd, Ste 100-1060 Spokane Valley, WA 99216
Cup of Chaos
2910 E 29th, Spokane, WA, United States, 99223
We’re currently accepting:
Personal care & hygiene items
Non-perishable food
Grocery & gas gift cards
Cleaning supplies
New socks, underwear & everyday essentialsDrop-off hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday
If you’re looking for other established local drop-off points already up and running, the City of Spokane’s donation list includes Second Harvest (non-perishable food, 1234 E. Front Ave.), SpokAnimal (pet supplies, 710 N. Napa St.), and Project Beauty Share (hygiene items, 2718 E. Sprague Ave.), among others. If you’d rather give financially, the Innovia Foundation’s Eastern Washington wildfire fund and the City of Spokane’s H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund are both directing 100% of donations to wildfire relief.
If Smoke, Ash, or Fire Has Damaged Your Home
For homeowners whose property has been affected by smoke, ash, or direct fire exposure — even if the home wasn’t destroyed — it’s worth having a professional look at the roof and exterior once it’s safe to do so. Smoke and ash exposure can cause damage that isn’t obvious right away, and if you’re filing an insurance claim, proper documentation matters. Our team offers free inspections and can walk you through the insurance restoration process from documentation through the claim itself.
📞 Call (509) 607-2487 or schedule a free inspection once it’s safe to do so.
We're Thinking of Our Community
Recovery from something like this takes time, and no one should have to navigate it alone. We’ll keep this page updated as new resources become available, and our office remains open to anyone in the community who needs a hand — whether that’s a place to drop off donations or a roof that needs a second look once the smoke clears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I check current Spokane wildfire evacuation zones?
The SREC official evacuation map and KHQ’s Spokane Area Fires tracker are both updated in real time as containment and evacuation levels change.
Who do I call if I’ve been evacuated and need shelter?
Contact the American Red Cross Greater Inland Northwest Chapter at (509) 326-3330, or check their Get Help page for current shelter locations.
Where can I drop off donations for wildfire-affected families?
Palmer Construction’s Office & Cup of Chaos.
The City of Spokane’s donation list also has several other active local drop-off points.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfire and smoke damage in Washington?
Most standard homeowners policies include fire and smoke damage coverage, though claims involving smoke or ash damage that isn’t immediately visible often require careful documentation.
Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner offers guidance for wildfire-related claims specifically, and has temporarily waived late fees and grace periods for affected policyholders.
This donation drive was organized and sponsored by Emiley Rios of Rios & Co Real Estate and Cup of Chaos, in partnership with BNI Give & Grow Spokane, who helped coordinate drop-off locations across the community — including here at our Spokane Valley office.
