Thousands Allowed Back Into Spokane Neighborhoods But Experts Say Hidden Hazards Remain
The fire may be out but the danger isn’t gone.
As evacuation orders lift across Spokane County, thousands of families are rushing back to check on their homes. That urgency is understandable. But health officials are warning: being cleared to re-enter does not mean your home is safe to walk into.
The Spokane Regional Health District put it plainly. Just because an area has been reopened doesn’t mean it’s free of wildfire-related hazards.
Understand What You’re Walking Back Into
The Spokane Complex Fires, the Autumn Lane, Fairview, and Old Trails fires combined, burned over 10,000 acres and forced roughly 65,000 residents to evacuate. More than 900 structures were destroyed, mostly homes…