(The Center Square) – After losing almost everything to one of the most destructive wildfires in state history, several Spokane County families pleaded for support on Tuesday as they finish rebuilding their homes.
Less than two years ago, the Gray and Oregon Road fires tore through Spokane, incinerating $166 million in property value and more than 22,000 acres. The disasters claimed at least 710 structures, 366 homes and two lives as it ripped through several small town communities.
Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper was among residents from her community and others who took to the Board of County Commissioners. Many have spent the last eight months rebuilding their homes, but they’re short on funds to finish. On Tuesday, they asked the county for $80,000.
“This is a countywide effort, and why we stood up the Spokane Regional Long-Term Recovery Group,” Cooper said. “It’s easy to forget that we had the largest asset loss from a wildfire in Washington state history come through our area here just a year and a half ago.”
The nonprofit began rebuilding the homes last year, with construction about 67% complete.
Cooper said they need to rebuild about another dozen homes, but the group needs funding to complete these first. About 30 people have made the effort possible, volunteering their own time, tools and money to put roofs over the heads of several families at about $150,000 each.
Other partners also donated supplies and labor to alleviate costs. She said all that’s left is some of the interior work on the homes. The supplies will cost around $65,000, so the $80,000 would put $15,000 in a contingency fund, with $40,000 from the county and another $40,000 match.
“$40,000 from the county, $40,000 from Innovia, which is a great partner in our community on this,” Commissioner Josh Kerns clarified after some residents placed the figure at $65,000.
Community Development Administrator George Dahl said he learned about the shortfall a week ago. Rather than wait for a grant cycle, Dahl asked the commissioners on Monday to work the expense into their budget, given the significant need to the community.
Innovia Foundation joined Dahl in requesting the funds on Monday before the residents plead their case Tuesday. He said the county’s portion would come from the Affordable and Supportive Housing Sales and Use Tax, as allowed under state law.
Molly Sanchez, chief community investment officer of Innovia Foundation, applauded the work of the group despite relying on a “shoestring budget.” She welcomed the opportunity to partner with the county and nonprofit to get the families out of temporary housing.
“I see the people that are working down there, and it’s been incredible to watch,” Medical Lake resident Kaye Peterson said. “Our neighbors are going to be moving back home soon.”
Peterson lost her home to the fires but was able to rebuild and move back in about a year ago.
She can look out her window and see people rebuilding the community, including two of the eight homes the nonprofit takes care of. She asked the commissioner to approve the funding to help her neighbors, including those in Elk, where many are still living in RVs.
Melissa Hunter said her family lost five homes in Medical Lake to the disaster.
“I have lost everything I’ve ever known in my entire life,” Hunter said. “I have lost my emergency home, [and] my temporary housing has expired … so I am [in] an RV [parked on] my home, which is still cold.”
She pays $180 per week for propane to heat the RV but is running out of savings. Hunter said she even had to dip into her retirement to get by.
Miranda Kraus and her family moved into an RV almost two years ago after the fires.
“It would have been easier to leave the community,” Kraus said. “We didn’t want to do that.”
The commissioners will likely vote on approving the funding during their April 1 meeting.
