SPOKANE, Wash. — As Spokane families prepare for the school year to begin Wednesday, one local family is navigating the transition while displaced from their home due to wildfire damage.
The Ainley family’s house still stands with minimal exterior damage, but the rows of homes behind their property are gone. After being told soot coats the inside of their home, they learned it could still take weeks before they can return.
For about two weeks, 10-year-old Riker Ainley has been sleeping on a couch in his grandparents’ living room while his parents occupy a separate bedroom. Now, as he prepares to start fifth grade at Mead Learning Options—a school he attends in person a few days a week while homeschooling the rest—the family is adjusting to an entirely new routine.
“It’s been weird. I’ve never had this experience before. It’s weird being out of my house for I don’t know a month or something. It’s kind of scary too,” Riker said.
His parents, Corrie and Stephan Ainley, say the displacement has been troubling for the entire family.
“Yesterday I saw a post on Facebook of a party city thing where they’re like here’s a place you can come and take first day of school pictures and I just lost it. I was just like oh my word we homeschool and so starting homeschool without a home just felt like what are we doing,” Corrie said.
The school has been supportive, offering to have Riker attend in person as often as the family needs during this transition.
The displacement has affected every aspect of daily life. Stephan described how the smallest disruptions compound the stress of their situation.
“Everything’s a new experience. Nothing is default. You’re exhausted and you don’t even know why. But it’s just like, you know, my tooth brush isn’t in the right spot, my morning coffee is not the way it needs to be, socks aren’t in the right spot so you’re exhausted before the day is even started,” Stephan said.
Riker misses the normalcy of home. “I miss feeling normal,” he said, adding that he wants to return to play with his fish, Timmy, and sleep in his own bed.
To prepare for the school year, the Ainleys are exploring temporary locations to homeschool Riker, including the public library or a friend’s home. For their house, they plan to replace windows and clean retardant off their property.
An inspector is scheduled to visit the Ainley home next week to provide estimates on cleanup costs.
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