Thoughts From the Hobbit House: The View From Our Balcony, Watching a Spokane Tragedy Unfold

Starting August 1, 2026, a complex of fast-moving wildfires—including the Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview fires—devastated the edges of Spokane, Washington. The wind-driven blazes scorched over 10,500 acres, destroyed at least 900 homes and structures, and forced roughly 65,000 residents to evacuate in what officials termed a historic regional disaster.

We’ve been under a fire evacuation order at least four times in the last few years.

We live within walking distance of downtown Spokane, but our home sits on the edge of a beautiful forest that connects to a state park. We’re perched on a hill above the city, which gives us a spectacular- and sometimes terrifying- view from our balcony…

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