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Updates for survivors of Eastern Washington wildfires

Posted on Feb 23, 2024 By Washington Military Administrator

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Spokane County

Two Disaster Recovery Centers open Thursday, Feb. 29, in Spokane County to assist residents who were affected by the Gray and Oregon Road Wildfires. The Centers are a temporary facility established to help survivors navigate through the various local, state and federal assistance programs that may be available to them.

The Disaster Recovery Centers are located in the community of Elk and the city of Medical Lake:
Elk Country Church of the Open Bible
40015 North Collins Road
Elk, WA 99009

Medical Lake
Medical Lake City Hall
124 South Lefevre Street
Medical Lake, WA 99022

Hours of operations for both centers:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
(*The Medical Lake Center will close early at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month)
Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sundays closed.

Disaster Recovery Centers are open to those who would like to speak, in person, to specialists from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Washington Emergency Management Division, and Spokane County Emergency Management. These representatives will be available to help survivors apply for disaster assistance, answer questions about the registration process and meet with Disaster Case Managers. However, you do not need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register for FEMA Assistance.
Specialists from the SBA, which provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes, can also answer questions about assistance programs as well as clarify next steps and give helpful information.

FEMA mitigation advisers will be at the Disaster Recovery Center to offer tips about rebuilding and protecting homes from disaster-related damages. Most of the information provided is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Additionally, representatives from governmental and non-governmental agencies will be on-site to help provide access to vital programs like food benefits, cash assistance and basic medical coverage for people who qualify. A representative from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner will be present to help answer questions related to insurance policies and coverage.

Be sure to apply for both state and FEMA disaster assistance so that you can receive all the assistance from FEMA that may be available based on your eligibility.

Disaster assistance available

SPOKANE, Wash. — FEMA Individual Assistance is now available for residents in Spokane County affected by the Gray and Oregon Road Wildfires between Aug.18 and Aug. 25, 2023.

FEMA assistance is unable to duplicate benefits offered through insurance, state programs, or other programs. But if your losses or damage go beyond disaster assistance available from other sources – or include items or categories not covered by other assistance – you may be eligible for additional funds from FEMA.

If you still have unmet needs, they may be able to be addressed through other sources.

If you require a reasonable accommodation — such as language translation or interpretation, mobility assistance, or sign language interpretation -- email FEMA-language-access-request@fema.dhs.gov or notify staff in the field.

In addition to Individual Assistance, Spokane County has been approved for FEMA Public Assistance, which provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits, so communities can quickly recover from major disasters or emergencies by helping to cover the cost of debris removal and the restoration of public infrastructure.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

FEMA Home Inspections Begin in Spokane County

Spokane, Wash. - FEMA home inspectors are working in Spokane County to assist with disaster recovery efforts following the Gray and Oregon Road Fires.

After you apply for FEMA assistance, FEMA may call you to schedule an appointment to inspect the damage to your home. FEMA staff may call from an out-of-state, unknown or restricted phone number – it’s important to answer so your application can move forward. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application.

FEMA inspectors are trained to recognize damage caused by a disaster even after recovery has started, and they will discuss that damage with you when they come to your home. Be prepared to show repair receipts, photos and any other disaster-related damage documentation as well.

If you require a reasonable accommodation -- such as language translation or interpretation, mobility assistance, or sign language interpretation -- email FEMA-language-access-request@fema.dhs.gov or notify staff in the field.

  • FEMA INSPECTORS

FEMA inspectors carry an official FEMA photo ID. If a badge is not visible, ask the inspector to show it to you.

FEMA inspectors will already have your nine-digit registration number and will never ask for money.

Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector: FEMA inspectors are not authorized to collect your financial information or ask for your Social Security number.

If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used to apply without your knowledge. If so, please inform the inspector that you did not apply so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.

If you suspect identity theft, please visit IndentityTheft.gov.

If you have questions about whether someone is representing FEMA, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you call.

To watch an accessible video about FEMA home inspections, visit FEMA Accessible: Home Inspections - YouTube.

  • HOW TO APPLY for assistance

FEMA assistance is unable to duplicate benefits offered through insurance, state programs or other programs. But if your losses or damage go beyond disaster assistance available from other sources – or include items or categories not covered by other assistance – you may be eligible for additional funds from FEMA. All survivors affected by the Gray and Oregon Road Fires are encouraged to contact and register with FEMA to determine eligibility.

  • You can apply for FEMA assistance by visiting disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
  • Stay in touch and continue to partner with or register through your Disaster Case Managers for the Gray Fire and Oregon Road Fire. For more information and resources text the word “recovery” to 99411 or visit The Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group | Disaster Relief (srltrg.org).
  • Survivors who apply for disaster assistance from FEMA may be referred to SBA to apply for a low-interest disaster loan. Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation visit fema.gov/disaster/4759.