Spokane Is Burning. Here’s What Washingtonians Are Doing About It

My uncle packed his car and left his house this morning, ordered out under a level 3 evacuation alert. My mother's still in North Spokane — safe for now, though "for now" isn't much comfort when you're watching the same videos I am, homes swallowed by wind-driven flames, smoke rolling over neighborhoods I used to visit as a kid.

More than 600 homes are gone. Officials say that number will likely climb once crews can safely assess the damage in areas still too dangerous to reach.

Watching it unfold on social media has been its own kind of gut punch, even from two hundred miles away. Chances are you know someone in Spokane too — a college roommate, a coworker's parents, someone from church who moved there for the cheaper housing.

Where Your Money Actually Goes (TO DONATE, CLICK THE LINKS BELOW)

The City of Spokane opened its H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund to direct donations straight to displaced families — every dollar goes toward recovery, not overhead. Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington set up a similar emergency fund, built specifically for people who've lost homes and need help getting back on their feet. The Innovia Foundation is taking a broader approach, funneling donations to nonprofits and community groups already working on the ground.

Officials are warning people to be careful, too. Scammers tend to surface after disasters like this one, posing as contractors or charities. Stick to verified links, and when in doubt, donate directly through an organization's own website.

Supplies Are Needed Just as Much as Cash

Not everyone has extra money right now, and that's fine — supplies matter just as much. SpokAnimal needs wet and dry food for displaced pets, cats and dogs who lost their homes right alongside their owners. Caritas Food Bank is asking for non-perishables, canned goods, and basic hygiene items.

This is Washington taking care of Washington. Whether you're dropping off cat food at a collection site or sending twenty dollars through your phone, it adds up for families standing in the ashes of everything they owned yesterday.