Firefighters say crews are making progress on the three fires burning in the Spokane area, with containment percentages rising.
Gov. Bob Ferguson intends to seek a Major Disaster Declaration to unlock federal financial assistance for Washingtonians impacted by the wildfires in eastern Washington.
In a Monday news conference, Ferguson also announced he signed an amended emergency proclamation that suspends several state laws to speed recovery efforts and expand assistance for people affected by the fires.
The proclamation expands eligibility for the state's disaster cash assistance program for uninsured homeowners, waives fees to replace driver's licenses, ID cards and other vital records lost in the fires, removes the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits, and temporarily limits certain evictions for wildfire survivors. It also extends emergency cash assistance to more families, eases regulatory requirements for health care providers and hospitals, and provides relief for businesses impacted by the disaster.
Ferguson said the Major Disaster Declaration will be a "major undertaking," and while the state does not yet have a deadline to submit its request, "we will soon." If approved by the federal government, the declaration would unlock financial assistance for Washingtonians who have lost their homes or otherwise been impacted by the fires.
A similar declaration was approved after historic flooding struck western Washington in December 2025.
The governor said Washington already has received a federal emergency declaration, which helps reimburse emergency response costs such as evacuations, shelters, search and rescue operations, and emergency food and water. However, individual assistance is only available through a Major Disaster Declaration, which the state plans to request after completing damage assessments with local governments, FEMA and the Washington Emergency Management Division.
Firefighters said crews are making progress on the three Spokane Complex fires burning in the Spokane area, with containment percentages rising as of Monday.
More than 1,700 firefighters are in the area battling the flames.
The Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires have burned nearly 10,000 acres and destroyed 921 homes and structures since Aug. 1.
The cause of the Fairview and Autumn Lane fires has yet to be determined. However, Aaron Farinacci, 37, was arrested Aug. 3 after witnesses reported seeing him acting suspiciously near the area where the Old Trails Fire started in Spokane County.
He was set to enter a plea to a first-degree arson charge on Thursday. Instead, Farinacci's attorney asked a Spokane County judge for a competency evaluation, which was granted.
During the same court appearance, the judge increased Farinacci's bail to $2 million.
As of Monday, the Autumn Lane Fire was 73% contained, the Old Trails Fire was 53% contained and the Fairview Fire was 53% contained.
After consulting with fire managers and regional chiefs, the Spokane and Stevens county sheriffs lowered evacuation levels around all three fire areas.
Some residents who evacuated are being allowed to retrieve certain items from their homes, but fire officials said not everyone can return home yet.
Level 3 ("Go now") evacuation orders remain in place for all areas within the three fire perimeters.
Evacuation maps are available on the Spokane and Stevens counties' websites:
- Spokane County: www.spokane911.com
- Stevens County: www.stevenscountywa.gov
A Monday morning update said temperatures, humidity and winds have returned to more seasonable levels after a cold front passed.
