INCHELIUM, Wash. — While students across Spokane prepare to return to school tomorrow, the small town of Inchelium faces a delayed start to the academic year.
The Modrite Fire swept through the area last month, destroying homes on the outskirts of town and forcing people to evacuate. Although the fire stayed miles away from the Inchelium School District’s K-12 campus, smoke damage affected all the buildings, forcing the district to postpone the school year for its 174 students.
School was supposed to start Sept. 8. Now, it’ll start a week later on Sept. 15.
“It’s a huge impact, not only on children, but also families and the whole community,” said Brian Freeman, the district’s superintendent. “It’s hard, because children need to be in school.”
The fire also delayed a campus remodel by a month and a half, creating additional complications for the district. When students eventually return to classes, they will only attend half days initially because the construction project remains incomplete, leaving insufficient classroom space to accommodate all students at once.
Freeman said the district will still meet state requirements despite the adjusted schedule, but acknowledged the situation is far from ideal.
Other districts have offered to help. The Coeur d’Alene School District will donate two portables for extra classroom space to assist Inchelium during the recovery period.
“Seeing the goodness in people, the willingness for people to help others when they’re in a time of need – it really feels good about how you feel about humanity,” Freeman said. “People do care.”
The impact of the Modrite Fire extended beyond the school building. Three students in the district lost their homes in the fire.
“It’s tragic, and that’s not even a strong enough word. It’s just devastating to the whole community, what people had to endure,” Freeman said.
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