Washington has experienced destructive wildfires before, but this summer’s Spokane Complex fires brought the threat directly into neighborhoods of one of the state’s largest cities, sharpening concerns about firefighting, evacuations, rebuilding and insurance.
Washington Fire Chiefs Executive Director Steve Brooks told Austin Jenkins, host of TVW’s Inside Olympia, that departments traditionally focused on structural fires increasingly need wildland capabilities.
“You can’t rely on just those who have single-role wildfire responsibilities anymore,” Brooks said. “It has to be kind of a core mission of firefighters statewide and really nationally now.”
Appearing with Brooks on the same show, McLane Black Lake Fire Chief Leonard Johnson said local departments play a critical role in containing fires before they become major incidents.
“Fast initial attack is what stops fires from spreading,” Johnson said.
But this year’s dry fuels and wind created conditions for fires to develop rapidly. Johnson said departments must anticipate evacuations while competing for crews and aircraft. The Lyons Ferry Fire, he said, tripled in size in less than 24 hours.
The consequences continue after the flames are controlled.
Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer told Jenkins that many displaced homeowners could be underinsured, complicating decisions about rebuilding. She said Spokane also presents an opportunity to reconstruct homes and neighborhoods using wildfire-resistant standards intended to reduce risk and improve insurability.
“This is an absolute tragedy what happened in Spokane,” Kuderer said. “It’s also an opportunity to build back smarter.”
The fire chiefs said the experience is already shaping priorities for 2027, including recovery, mitigation, firefighting aircraft and resources for local departments.
For Brooks, Spokane demonstrated how the wildfire challenge has expanded beyond suppression. Response and recovery can now unfold simultaneously as firefighters protect communities while displaced residents begin the long process of returning and rebuilding.
Watch or download the full episode of Inside Olympia, or listen and subscribe to the podcast, at tvw.org.