SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — More than three years after the Oregon and Gray Road fires devastated the region, Spokane County officials gathered with frustrated fire victims to address a critical question: Where is the $44 million in promised recovery funds?
The meeting revealed that strict federal regulations are the primary obstacle slowing the distribution process. Unlike typical disaster relief, the county does not have the cash available upfront. Instead, officials must document and prove every single expense to the federal government before receiving reimbursement, creating a time-consuming approval process that has left many victims waiting far longer than expected.
The county is working through this complex process in partnership with the Spokane Long Term Recovery Group to eventually distribute the funds to eligible victims. Currently, the county is managing 11 active cases and has completed 10 assessments of burned properties.
Kay Peterson, a board member of the Spokane Long Term Recovery Group, acknowledged the frustration residents are experiencing. “I know there’s frustration. I know there’s disillusionment. But, at the end of the day, we are working toward that recovery together,” Peterson said.
Throughout the meeting, fire victims expressed sharp concerns about the extended timeline. Mark G., one of the fire victims, voiced a question many in the room shared: “Why has it taken so long for anything to happen or start?”
County officials responded by emphasizing they are working as quickly as possible to navigate the federal bureaucracy and noted they are actually ahead of schedule compared to similar recovery efforts in other regions. When asked about the timeline for fund distribution, officials explained that they have until 2030 to use the money. However, George Dahl, housing and community development official, indicated an extension will likely be necessary. “I fully expect that we will um but also maybe we run into some magic where we’ll get everything taken care of before that deadline,” Dahl said.
Beyond funding delays, fire victims raised another pressing issue: the danger posed by burned trees that remain standing or have fallen across properties. One resident described a particularly frustrating incident from the previous winter when he ran over a downed tree while driving, causing significant damage to his vehicle.
“Just had to drive through it. Took out two tires…um…was it preventable? Yeah. Tree should have been removed,” Mark G. said.
The county announced they just received approval to remove hazard trees and will develop a plan with contractors to address the problem. The Spokane Long Term Recovery Group is also developing a reimbursement and debris removal plan that will be submitted to the county for approval in the coming weeks.
Despite the challenges and frustrations of the past three years, some fire victims remain optimistic about the path forward. Mark G. reflected on his experience with cautious hope: “Just keep going forward. It gets better. Its not easier, but it gets better.”
Fire victims seeking assistance are encouraged to visit the Spokane Long Term Recovery Group’s website and contact a case manager immediately to begin the process of unlocking their recovery funds. The county had planned additional meetings for the following week to address similar concerns, though both sessions were canceled. For those still waiting for relief, officials emphasize that engaging with a case manager is the critical first step toward federal approval and eventual fund distribution.
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