Spokane County Fire Survivors Still Await $44 Million

Recovery money totaling $44 million remains undistributed to people affected by the Oregon Road and Gray fires, which damaged the Spokane County region over three years ago. At a meeting with survivors, county officials said federal rules require them to verify each expense before reimbursement. Because the county cannot provide the money upfront, those reviews have prolonged the process.

The county and the Spokane Long Term Recovery Group are working together to direct assistance to qualifying survivors. Officials are handling 11 active cases, while assessments have been finished for 10 fire-damaged properties. The funds must be used by 2030, although housing and community development official George Dahl expects an extension will probably be needed.

Residents also raised concerns about burned trees still standing or lying across properties. Mark G. described vehicle damage after driving over a fallen tree during the previous winter. The county recently gained approval for hazard-tree removal and will create a plan with contractors. In the coming weeks, the recovery group also plans to submit proposals covering reimbursements and debris removal for county approval. Two additional meetings scheduled for the following week were canceled. Survivors seeking funds were directed to the recovery group’s website and told to contact a case manager to begin the federal approval process.