Spokane Wildfire Recovery Resources
Last Updated: August 6, 2026
Our hearts are with everyone affected by the Spokane-area wildfires.
As we've watched the fires unfold, we found ourselves asking one simple question:
How can we help, even in a small way?
Sometimes the most helpful thing isn't having all the answers. It's knowing where to find them.
We're not first responders or disaster recovery specialists, but we do know how overwhelming the financial, tax, insurance, and administrative side of a disaster can be.
So we did what we could. We gathered trusted resources in one place to make them easier to find for individuals, families, business owners, and advisors.
Whether you've been directly affected, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to be prepared, we hope this page helps. We'll continue updating it as new information and resources become available.
If you know of a resource that should be included, we'd love to hear from you.
Know someone who may benefit from this page? Please share it.
Financial Assistance & Recovery
DisasterAssistance.gov: The federal starting point for disaster assistance, housing support, and financial aid.
Washington State Military Department: Emergency information, recovery resources, and updates related to wildfires.
Washington Department of Natural Resources: Wildfire information, post-fire recovery resources, and situational updates.
Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group: Coordinates long-term recovery efforts for individuals, families, and businesses affected by disasters in the Spokane region.
Tax Resources
IRS Disaster Relief: Current IRS disaster declarations, filing extensions, and payment relief.
IRS FAQs for Disaster Victims: Answers to common tax questions following natural disasters.
Wildfire Relief Payments & Casualty Loss FAQs: Information about wildfire-related tax issues and casualty loss rules.
Reconstructing Records After a Disaster: Helpful guidance if tax records, receipts, or other important financial documents have been destroyed.
Washington Department of Revenue: State tax relief and administrative assistance for taxpayers affected by disasters.
Spokane County Assessor: If your home was destroyed or substantially damaged, you may qualify for a tax reduction.
Insurance Resources
Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Consumer guidance, claim assistance, and insurance resources.
A few helpful reminders:
Take photos or videos of damage before cleanup if it's safe to do so.
Save receipts for hotel stays, meals, temporary housing, and emergency purchases.
Keep notes of conversations with your insurance company.
Ask whether your policy includes Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage if you've been displaced.
Don't throw away damaged property until your insurance company tells you it's okay.
Banking & Credit Union Assistance
Many financial institutions offer emergency assistance following natural disasters, including payment deferrals, emergency loans, waived fees, or other relief.
Examples include:
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Has loan offerings for business, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations.
Even if your financial institution hasn't announced a formal disaster program, it's worth calling to ask what assistance may be available. Many institutions can provide assistance on a case-by-case basis.
Replacing Important Documents
Losing important paperwork can add unnecessary stress during recovery. These organizations can help replace many essential documents.
Small Business Resources
Business owners often face challenges beyond property damage.
Helpful resources include:
Local chambers of commerce
If you own a business, contact your insurance carrier promptly to discuss business interruption coverage and other available benefits.
Air Quality & Smoke Resources
Even if your home hasn't been affected by fire, smoke can impact your health and daily activities.
Helpful resources:
These sites provide current air quality conditions and recommendations for reducing smoke exposure.
Local Resources
Protect Yourself from Disaster Scams
Unfortunately, scams often increase after natural disasters.
Be cautious of:
Contractors requesting large upfront payments.
Individuals offering to "speed up" insurance claims.
Fake charities soliciting donations.
Anyone claiming to represent FEMA or another agency without proper identification.
When in doubt, verify organizations through official government websites before sharing personal information or making payments.
Before You Close This Page
When things settle down, taking a few small steps now can make future emergencies a little easier to navigate.
Consider taking a few minutes to:
Store important documents securely in the cloud.
Photograph or video your home's contents for insurance purposes.
Review your homeowners or renters insurance coverage annually.
Keep copies of tax returns and estate planning documents in a secure location.
Make a list of medications, important contacts, and account numbers that you can access if you ever need to evacuate quickly.
We hope you never need these preparations, but they can make recovery significantly easier if you do.
We're Here to Help
Whether you have questions about tax records, financial documents, insurance paperwork, or simply aren't sure where to start, we're happy to point you in the right direction.
You don't have to be a client of The Purple Group to reach out.
If we don't know the answer, we'll do our best to connect you with someone who does.
We started by asking ourselves, "How can we help, even in a small way?" We hope this page makes finding help just a little easier.
Please stay safe, take care of one another, and know that our thoughts are with everyone affected by these fires.
