The fires created an immediate public-safety and housing crisis for Spokane and nearby communities. Reports described evacuations affecting about 60,000 people across the affected area and roughly 600 structures burned. Those totals include impacts in Spokane and surrounding communities, rather than applying entirely to Spokane city limits.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency as the fires spread. Spokane’s main convention center was converted into an emergency shelter, with approximately 400 people staying there at one point.

Fire spread and destruction

By Aug. 2, fires near Spokane had burned about 8.2 square miles, according to the Associated Press. The combination of wind and heat helped drive the rapid spread across the northwest part of the city and surrounding area.

The fire crossed the Spokane River while evacuation orders affected thousands of people. The scale of the response reached beyond individual neighborhoods, requiring shelter operations, evacuation coordination and continued work by state and local agencies.

The reported total of about 600 burned structures represents the broader affected area. Reports also described people losing homes or farms, underscoring the immediate need for shelter and assistance while residents remained displaced.

Emergency response

The Spokane Convention Center became one of the most visible parts of the local response. About 400 people were staying there at one point after evacuations displaced residents from fire-affected areas.

The City of Spokane’s emergency-management operations include wildfire evacuation planning and coordination responsibilities for city neighborhoods. Those functions became central as evacuation orders expanded and officials managed sheltering and public-safety needs.

By Aug. 8, firefighters had constructed more than 75 miles of containment line. The larger fires had burned more than 15.63 square miles by then, showing that the response had progressed even as the fire footprint continued to be measured and updated.

Arson investigation

Authorities arrested a 37-year-old man on Aug. 3 on suspicion of starting one of the Spokane-area fires. The arrest concerns one fire; authorities did not link the suspect to the entire wildfire complex.

The investigation added a criminal case to an emergency that was already affecting homes, farms, transportation and local response resources. Any charges and court proceedings would determine the next legal steps in that case.

For Spokane residents, the immediate consequences remained displacement, property loss and continued uncertainty as firefighters worked to strengthen containment. The evacuation and structure-loss figures were changing as the response continued, and regional totals did not establish how many structures were destroyed or residents evacuated within Spokane city limits alone.

The decision came after eligibility screening and a review period that ran from July 24 through Aug. 4. The City of Spokane administers the regional request for proposals and serves as the Continuum of Care’s collaborative applicant.

The available funding document establishes the decision date and review schedule, but it does not include the final ranked project list or the dollar amounts recommended for individual projects. That means the Aug. 5 action should not be treated as a confirmed federal award, and the available materials do not establish which providers or projects were selected.

Why the decision matters

The local ranking process is unfolding as Spokane officials warn that proposed federal priorities could significantly change the funding outlook for permanent housing. The city reported that the proposed changes could reduce permanent-housing funding by approximately 50 percent.

Spokane estimated that the potential reduction could create a local loss of about $3 million. That figure is a city forecast based on proposed federal priorities, not a confirmed cut or final federal appropriation.

The distinction matters for housing and homelessness providers preparing for the next funding cycle. The board’s recommendation identifies which applications advance through the local process, but the available documents do not show the eventual federal award decisions or the final amount each project may receive.

How the application process unfolded

The FY2026 request for proposals called for eligibility screening to be completed by July 23. Committee review was scheduled from July 24 through Aug. 4, leading to the Continuum of Care Board’s final ranking and funding-recommendation decision on Aug. 5.

Applicants that were not selected can request feedback after award notifications, according to the city’s funding document. The next known step is notification of applicants and the submission or implementation of the selected project recommendations.

Those steps will provide more detail about which Spokane-area services are positioned to seek federal support. Until the ranked list and award information are available, the local consequences of the board’s decision cannot be assigned to specific providers or programs.

Pressure on shelter and permanent housing

The city’s warning about possible permanent-housing reductions comes alongside its report that Spokane’s inclement-weather plan operated for 128 days from October 2025 through May 2026.

That figure describes the length of the city’s inclement-weather-plan activation during the most recent season. It does not, by itself, establish how future federal funding changes would affect shelter operations or the number of people served.

For now, the confirmed local development is the completion of the regional ranking and recommendation stage. The details that will determine the effect on Spokane’s housing and homelessness system are the applicant notifications, the selected project recommendations and any later federal award decisions.

For residents and businesses in restricted areas, the improvement was not an all-clear. Evacuation limits remained in effect while crews and emergency officials prepared for conditions that could make the fires more difficult to fight again.

Evacuation zones stayed in place

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels discussed the continuing evacuation restrictions, according to the Associated Press. The decision to maintain the zones came even after firefighters reported better conditions, underscoring the difference between short-term progress and an end to the emergency.

The approved reporting does not provide a current count of people still displaced or a city-specific count of residents under evacuation orders. Earlier Associated Press coverage reported approximately 60,000 evacuations in the Spokane area. That figure describes evacuations reported in the regional area and should not be treated as a current displaced-resident total or as a count limited to Spokane city limits.

Earlier reports documented major losses

The fires had burned approximately 8.2 square miles over the weekend, according to the earlier report. That coverage also said at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures had been destroyed.

The structure-loss figure applies to fires near Spokane rather than to a confirmed total within the city itself. The available reporting does not break the losses down by homes, businesses or other types of structures, and it does not establish how many of those properties were inside Spokane city limits.

The scale of the reported damage and evacuations helps explain why local restrictions remained significant even as crews made progress. Homes and businesses were affected, residents faced disruption, and emergency agencies had to continue coordinating a response across the area.

Weather remained a concern

Cooler weather aided firefighting on Aug. 5, but authorities warned that conditions were expected to turn hotter, drier and breezier. The forecast created a continuing risk for firefighting operations and for communities near the evacuation zones.

Federal, state and local emergency agencies were involved in the response, according to the earlier Associated Press report. Their work continued as officials evaluated fire conditions, weather and the safety of areas affected by evacuation restrictions.

The available reports do not identify the fires by name or provide containment percentages. They also do not establish that the fires were contained or under control overall. The confirmed development is narrower: firefighters improved their position under cooler conditions while authorities continued restricting access.

What to watch next

The next important information point is an updated incident-management briefing. That briefing would be needed to establish current containment percentages, the exact fire names and the number of people still displaced.

Until those details are available, residents and businesses affected by the zones should understand that the restrictions remained in place after the Aug. 5 improvement. The broader emergency response around Spokane continued, with officials watching for the hotter, drier and windier weather that could change fire behavior and firefighting conditions.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Aaron F. Farinacci, 37. The arrest came as the three fires remained uncontained and had destroyed at least 700 buildings and forced about 67,000 people to evacuate around Spokane, according to Associated Press reporting.

Investigators revisited an earlier tip

Sheriff John Nowels said a community member initially reported seeing a nervous-looking man bent near grass beside a road. Authorities questioned Farinacci and released him after the initial questioning, Nowels said.

Major-crimes detectives later reviewed body-worn-camera footage and reports, according to the sheriff. Investigators again identified Farinacci and concluded, in the sheriff’s account, that the fire had started where the witness had seen him.

Nowels said Farinacci had matches and a butane lighter when he was detained. Those details are allegations and statements from the investigation; they have not been established as court findings.

Farinacci remains accused, and an arrest or booking is not a conviction. Authorities had not publicly identified causes for the other two Spokane-area fires in the latest approved reporting.

Three fires caused widespread local damage

As of Monday, August 3, the three fires had destroyed at least 700 buildings and prompted about 67,000 evacuations around Spokane, AP reported. The figure covers the Spokane area and does not mean that all evacuees were inside Spokane city limits.

The Old Trails Fire began northwest of downtown Spokane before crossing the Spokane River and damaging neighborhoods. AP reported that some residents were returning to find their homes destroyed, while others remained unable to return because of restrictions and continuing emergency work.

The scale of the damage means residents, property owners and businesses still face uncertainty about access, cleanup and recovery while firefighters work to control the blazes. Conditions, evacuation restrictions and access to affected neighborhoods can change as officials continue the response.

First court appearance expected Tuesday

Farinacci’s first court appearance was expected Tuesday, August 4, according to Spokane County Prosecutor Preston McCollam. AP reported that it was not immediately clear whether Farinacci had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

The case remains in its preliminary stage. The next accountability steps are the court proceedings and continuing criminal investigation, while officials still must determine the causes of the other two fires and bring the wildfire response to containment.

Residents should check current official evacuation, shelter and incident-status information before returning to an affected area. Washington’s wildfire resource page provides links to state and local emergency information, but residents should rely on the latest incident-specific instructions from authorities.

Sources

• Associated Press arrest report
• Washington Wildfire Resources

SPD published the results in a July 28, 2026, update after its Traffic Unit participated in the statewide operation coordinated by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. The department said officers also cited drivers for no insurance, electronic-device use and driving with a suspended license. Multiple arrests were made on outstanding warrants, but SPD did not provide a total.

What Spokane police reported

SPD said its Traffic Unit issued 77 infractions over the three-day emphasis. Speeding was the primary reason for police contacts, accounting for 52 citations.

The department separately reported that officers stopped seven motorcycles for traffic violations. One of those contacts resulted in an impound. The figures do not show that all 77 infractions involved motorcycles.

SPD also listed citations for no insurance, use of electronic devices and driving with a suspended license. The reported figures describe enforcement activity during this specific operation; they do not by themselves establish that motorcycle crashes or violations increased across Spokane.

Recent electric-motorcycle response

The enforcement update followed a July 18 response at Spokane’s Southside Sports Complex. SPD said callers reported that 15 to 20 juveniles were riding electric motorcycles through the complex around noon. When officers arrived, the group scattered.

Officers later located about eight children ages 8 to 14. SPD said the event had been promoted on social media and that some of the children had traveled by electric motorcycle from Spokane Valley. Parents were called to take custody of the children and their electric motorcycles, according to the department.

SPD described the response as an opportunity to educate the children and parents about Washington’s electric-motorcycle laws and the risks of using the vehicles improperly. The police report does not establish criminal wrongdoing by every rider involved.

Why motorcycle safety was emphasized

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission says its motorcycle-safety work focuses on improving riding skills, raising awareness of safe behavior and reducing crashes that cause serious injuries and fatalities. SPD said the July emphasis was intended to reduce vehicle collisions through education, awareness and enforcement.

Spokane officials and schools have also been warning families about the difference between electric bicycles and electric motorcycles, where the vehicles may be used, yielding to pedestrians and traffic, helmets and speed. The Spokesman-Review reported in June that Spokane police, Spokane Public Schools and the city parks department had worked together on those safety messages.

For drivers, riders, parents and pedestrians, the local takeaway is practical: watch for motorcycles, check blind spots and follow applicable traffic rules. Parents of young riders should also understand whether a vehicle is legally an electric bicycle or a motorcycle and what licensing and endorsement requirements apply.

The 77 infractions are a snapshot of Spokane police activity during the completed July 2026 emphasis. They are not a broader trend analysis of motorcycle or electric-motorcycle safety in the city.

Sources

• Spokane Police Department enforcement results
• Washington Traffic Safety Commission motorcycle-safety guidance
• The Spokesman-Review reporting on e-riding safety

The Old Trails, Fairview and Meadowview fires are being managed collectively as the Spokane Complex. The reported structure total includes homes, businesses and other structures; it should not be read as a count of 600 or 640 homes. Officials had not publicly established a final damage assessment in the sources reviewed for this article.

The emergency is concentrated in Spokane and Spokane County, but its scale has statewide consequences for Washington’s fire response, transportation network, health services, utilities, schools and displaced residents. Evacuation boundaries and access conditions can change quickly, so residents should rely on current official alerts and maps rather than early news reports or social-media posts.

What burned and what is known about the damage

The Old Trails Fire spread rapidly in the Spokane area before crossing the Spokane River. The Fairview and Meadowview fires were also burning nearby, and officials began treating the three incidents as one complex for response and public information.

Associated Press reporting described strong winds and hot, dry conditions that helped the fires spread. The structure-loss figure remains preliminary, and the sources reviewed did not provide a verified breakdown of homes, businesses, garages, sheds or other structures.

No deaths or injuries were identified in the sources reviewed for this article. The cause of the fires also had not been established publicly. Those facts may change as investigations and damage assessments continue.

Check your evacuation level before traveling

Spokane County uses three evacuation levels:

• Level 3 — Go: Leave immediately because there is an immediate threat to life and emergency services may not be able to assist.
• Level 2 — Get set: Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. People who need extra time, including households with pets, livestock, children, older adults or medical needs, are encouraged to leave early.
• Level 1 — Get ready: Prepare to leave because conditions could worsen.

Residents should check their address on the current Spokane-area fire evacuation map and subscribe to Alert Spokane. This article does not list individual evacuation zones because official boundaries can be expanded, reduced or changed as fire behavior and road conditions change.

A Level 3 order means residents should leave immediately and should not return until officials authorize reentry. Residents in Level 2 areas should be prepared to leave without delay, while people in Level 1 areas should assemble essential items and monitor alerts.

Roads, services and reentry

Current road closures, bridge access, transit changes, school disruptions and power outages should be checked through the relevant local or state agency before anyone travels. The available sources for this article did not provide a sufficiently current, verified list of those conditions for publication.

People outside evacuation areas should avoid entering restricted zones. Fire crews, emergency vehicles and damage-assessment teams need access, and roads may be blocked or unsafe because of fire, smoke, debris, damaged structures or downed utility equipment.

Residents returning after an evacuation should wait for official reentry authorization. They should be prepared for smoke, unsafe buildings, damaged utilities and limited neighborhood access. Do not enter a damaged structure or reconnect utilities unless officials or qualified professionals say it is safe.

Help for displaced Washington residents

Washington’s wildfire resource page directs displaced residents to current evacuation information, shelters, emergency contacts, temporary housing and other assistance. Shelter locations and capacity can change, so residents should confirm details with official sources before traveling.

The state resource page says Washington Apple Health clients whose medications, medical supplies or medical equipment were lost, destroyed or made inaccessible because of a fire or evacuation may receive replacement items from providers without prior authorization under state guidance. Residents should contact their provider or Apple Health support channels for instructions.

State guidance also points residents to assistance involving food and cash benefits, insurance claims, replacement identification documents, business and tax help, unemployment assistance and animal-response resources. Eligibility and availability vary, and residents should use the current state and county instructions rather than assume every program applies automatically.

People evacuating should take identification, medications, important documents, phone chargers, food, water, clothing and supplies for pets or service animals. Spokane County advises residents who need help evacuating pets or livestock to call 911.

What happens next

Fire officials will continue updating evacuation levels, fire status, structure assessments and access conditions as crews work around the Spokane Complex. The current evacuation and structure figures are preliminary and may change.

Residents should monitor Alert Spokane, Spokane County Emergency Management, the Washington Department of Natural Resources wildfire portal and official fire updates. People outside Spokane should avoid unnecessary travel into affected areas and follow smoke and air-quality guidance from public-health officials.

Sources

• The Associated Press wildfire report
• Spokane County Emergency Management
• Washington Wildfire Resources

Public Transportation Benefit Area Proposition No. 1 would reauthorize up to 0.2% of sales and use tax funding beginning January 1, 2029, and continuing through December 31, 2048. It would not increase the current voter-approved rate. The existing authorization is scheduled to expire December 31, 2028.

Who can vote on Proposition 1

The measure appears on the ballot as Public Transportation Benefit Area Proposition No. 1: Spokane Transit Authority Maintenance and Enhancement of Public Transportation Services. Only registered voters inside the Spokane Transit Authority Public Transportation Benefit Area are eligible to vote on it. That area includes Spokane and several other cities, plus parts of unincorporated Spokane County, so not every Spokane County voter will necessarily see the proposition.

The official Spokane County sample ballot says the measure would reauthorize a voter-approved sales tax of up to two-tenths of 1% for public transportation. It says proceeds would maintain and enhance the existing transit system, improve and expand public transportation through new modes and programs, and support essential transit facilities. The tax was approved in 2016 and is set to expire December 31, 2028, unless renewed.

What STA says renewal would support

STA says most of the renewed funding would maintain current service levels, including routes, frequencies, operating hours and Paratransit. The agency says the 0.2% tax generates approximately $30 million annually.

STA also lists proposed Connect 2035 investments, including Division Street Bus Rapid Transit, bus-stop upgrades with shelters and lighting, improved ADA access, mobility-on-demand pilots and technology upgrades. Those are planned uses of the funding, not completed projects.

STA estimates that rejecting the renewal could put about $12.6 million per year in state grants at risk and jeopardize approximately $82 million in federal funding identified for Division Street BRT. Those are agency estimates and stated risks, not guaranteed outcomes. A rejection would not immediately eliminate bus service: the current authorization would remain in effect through December 31, 2028, and any later service changes would follow future budget and planning decisions.

City Council endorsed the measure

The Spokane City Council voted 6-1 on July 22 to support Proposition 1, with Councilman Michael Cathcart as the lone dissenting vote, according to The Spokesman-Review.

Cathcart said the council should let voters decide without formally taking a position. Supporters said transit is a public benefit and emphasized the effect of bus access on neighborhoods, workers and riders. The council action is advisory; the binding decision belongs to eligible voters.

Opponents question reserves and the term

Opponents have focused on STA’s finances, transparency and the proposed 20-year duration. The Spokesman-Review reported that critics cited approximately $240 million in accumulated reserves and argued the agency should provide more justification before seeking another long-term tax authorization.

STA officials said the reserve figure includes money from multiple funding sources, including pandemic-era and state investments. The agency says reserves are used in part for one-time projects and are not intended to replace ongoing revenue for daily service. Spokane City Councilman Zack Zappone, who also serves on the STA board, said about $170 million of the reserves are earmarked for Connect 2035 projects.

What the vote means for residents

A yes vote would keep the existing 0.2% authorization in place beginning January 1, 2029, through December 31, 2048. A no vote would allow that authorization to expire at the end of 2028 unless voters approve another measure later.

The decision affects more than regular bus riders. Routes and schedules matter to workers, students, older adults, people with disabilities, families without a car and businesses that depend on access to employees and customers. The vote also affects whether STA can pursue proposed projects while seeking state and federal support.

Eligible voters should check their ballot and return it through an official Spokane County drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The deadline applies on Election Day; voters should not assume a postmark will substitute for depositing the ballot by the deadline.

Sources

• Spokane County August 4, 2026 Primary Election Sample Ballot
• STA Proposition 1
• Getting There: STA says 0.2% tax is essential; opponents cite reserves

County Auditor Vicky Dalton announced the issue July 22. The county said it will mail supplemental ballots to the affected voters so they can vote on the measure omitted from their original ballots.

Who is affected

The error applies to 804 voters assigned to Precinct 6065. It does not apply to every voter in Spokane County.

The missing item is a proposed measure concerning the West Plains Aquifer Protection District. The county described the problem as an error in the ballot style sent to those voters.

The county has instructed affected voters to return both their original ballot and the supplemental ballot. The original ballot remains necessary for the other contests included on it, while the supplemental ballot is intended to provide the omitted aquifer-protection measure.

County’s planned correction

Spokane County said it would mail the supplemental ballots to the 804 affected Precinct 6065 voters. The announcement establishes the county’s plan to send the additional ballot materials, but the available information does not establish whether all voters had received them by Aug. 2.

For affected voters, the next known step is to complete and return both ballot materials as instructed by the county. The relevant election date is the Aug. 4, 2026 primary.

Third error cited before primary

In its July 22 notice, the county characterized the Precinct 6065 issue as the third ballot-style error identified for the Aug. 4 primary.

The county said the two earlier errors involved Airway Heights voters and voters in Precinct 6038. Its notice did not provide voter totals for those earlier issues in the same item.

The correction concerns a proposed local measure, not a completed election result. The available county information does not establish that the ballot-style errors were intentional or that they changed any election outcome.

The evacuation and destruction figures were preliminary. Officials were still assessing damage, and the number of structures lost was expected to change as that work continued.

Three fires were grouped as the Spokane-area complex, creating an emergency affecting Spokane and surrounding Spokane County communities. The fires threatened residences, businesses and public services while forcing large-scale evacuations.

Fire moved across northwest Spokane

Strong winds and high temperatures drove the fires across northwest Spokane on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. A fast-moving fire swept through northwest Spokane and jumped the Spokane River, prompting evacuation orders that affected thousands of people.

The Old Trails fire was among the fires involved in the Spokane-area emergency. Authorities had not established final totals for damaged structures, acreage, containment or injuries in the information available as of Aug. 2.

A Washington Department of Natural Resources spokesperson said officials initially did not have a solid count of destroyed structures. That uncertainty is significant because the reported total of at least 600 includes homes, businesses and other structures, rather than a final, itemized accounting of losses.

Shelter opened for displaced residents

The City of Spokane established a shelter at the Spokane Convention Center for people displaced by the fires. The shelter provided a designated place for residents leaving evacuation areas as the emergency spread across the region.

The available reports did not establish how many evacuees lived within Spokane city limits and how many came from other parts of Spokane County. Spokane County Commissioner Chris Jordan said relatives had been affected by the fires and that the status of their home was unknown.

For people under evacuation orders, the immediate public-safety issue was leaving affected areas and seeking available shelter. The next known step was continued assessment by authorities of destroyed structures and broader fire damage. The reported evacuation and structure-loss figures should not be treated as final totals.

The primary is a county-administered election with local and county races on the ballot. Ballots were mailed July 15 through July 17, according to Spokane County Elections.

Election-night schedule

The 8 p.m. deadline is the immediate cutoff identified by the county for ballot drop boxes and in-person voter services. Voters relying on either option must complete that step by the election-day closing time.

Spokane County Elections expects to post unofficial results at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Aug. 4. Those election-night figures are not the certified outcome and may change before the county completes its scheduled post-election process.

The county has scheduled a post-election audit for Aug. 13. Certification is scheduled for Aug. 18, establishing the later procedural milestones after the primary’s initial results release.

Auditor race is among contests on the ballot

One contest in the 2026 election is the race for Spokane County auditor. The candidates are Callie Gee, Michael Cathcart and Dale Whitaker, according to The Spokesman-Review.

The county auditor’s office oversees county financial-management and records functions. That makes the contest a race for an office with responsibilities beyond the administration of the primary itself.

The approved election information does not provide a complete list of individual Spokane-area contests or specify which candidates will advance without consulting the county’s voter guide and sample ballot. It also does not provide ballot-return totals, turnout figures or election outcomes.

What happens after ballots are returned

Tuesday’s 8 p.m. deadline marks the end of the county’s identified election-day window for ballot drop boxes, in-person registration and voter updates. The expected 8:15 p.m. release is the first public results milestone, rather than the final stage of the process.

The Aug. 13 audit and Aug. 18 certification remain ahead after election night. Until certification, results released by Spokane County Elections should be understood as unofficial.

The result gave Tri-City its first six-game-series victory at Avista Stadium during the High-A era. The ballpark is home to the Spokane Indians, the Spokane-area Minor League Baseball club.

Four-run first inning put Tri-City ahead

Tri-City took advantage of two early Spokane defensive errors and scored four runs in the first inning. The Dust Devils built on that start to finish with 12 runs, while Spokane scored two.

Tyler Bremner earned his first professional win for Tri-City. The starter allowed one run on three hits over five innings and struck out seven Spokane batters.

Spokane starter Yuma Herrera fell to 1-3 with the loss.

Series result comes with standings context

The game report listed Spokane at 16-13 in the second half and 45-50 overall entering the contest. Tri-City entered at 14-15 in the second half and 49-46 overall.

Those second-half records put Spokane ahead of Tri-City in the standings snapshot provided with the game report, despite the Dust Devils’ four straight victories in the series. Separate local reporting by The Spokesman-Review said Spokane’s difficult week did not cause the club to fall in the standings.

Tri-City’s series-clinching win did not, by itself, resolve the teams’ remaining scheduled meeting. The supplied reporting identified a series finale for July 26, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m., but does not establish the outcome of that game.

What the win meant for the clubs

For Tri-City, the July 25 result secured the road series before the finale and delivered a notable milestone at Spokane’s home field: the Dust Devils’ first six-game-series win at Avista Stadium in the High-A era.

For Spokane, the loss was its fourth straight against Tri-City in the series. The Indians remained the second-half leader between the two clubs in the records reported before the game, while the final scheduled contest was still to be played.

The disclosure concerns the ballot format issued to voters for the primary, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4. Spokane County Elections is continuing to provide election information and voter services as the election approaches.

What the county confirmed

The county said two groups of voters were sent incorrect ballot styles. The public information supplied with the announcement does not identify the number of voters in either group or describe the specific ballot-style mismatch.

Ballot styles determine which contests a voter is eligible to vote in. An incorrect style can therefore affect a voter’s ability to vote in the races assigned to that voter, making the county’s response and voter guidance important before Election Day.

The available materials also do not establish whether affected voters were contacted individually, whether any ballots using the incorrect styles had already been returned, or what corrective procedure the county is using for each group. Spokane County has not, in the supplied materials, announced that any votes were invalidated.

Election services remain available

Spokane County Elections lists an accessible voting unit at the Spokane County Elections Office. The unit has been available since July 17 and remains available through Election Day, Aug. 4.

The county’s current-election resources provide official information on the Aug. 4 primary, voter services, election results and final ballot processing. Voters seeking county guidance before the primary can use those official election resources and the county’s voter-service options.

What happens next

The next confirmed election deadline is Aug. 4, when the 2026 primary is scheduled to take place. Final processing of primary ballots is handled through Spokane County’s election operations.

The announcement is a pre-election administration disclosure, not a reported final resolution of the ballot-style problem. The supplied information does not establish an intentional cause or a partisan effect. It also does not provide a voter total, a description of the affected contests or a confirmed remedy for voters who received the wrong style.

Those unresolved details will determine how broadly the error affects voters’ access to the contests for which they are eligible. For now, the county’s confirmed disclosure is limited to two affected groups of voters and the incorrect ballot styles issued before the primary.

The event is listed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rotary Fountain, Orange Bridge and Clock Tower Meadow. Northwest Unity organizes the celebration, while Riverfront Spokane’s city calendar lists the park event and its planned activities.

The 2026 celebration marks 32 years, according to the event website. Organizers describe Unity in the Community as a community resource as well as a multicultural celebration.

Resource fairs alongside cultural programming

Five vendor areas are planned: a Youth Fair, Career and Education Fair, Health Fair, Senior Resources area and General Vendors area. The arrangement places resource categories for young people, people seeking career or education information, health-related information and older residents within the broader public celebration.

The city calendar also lists a Cultural Village and an all-day lineup of performers on the main stage. Specific performers were not identified in the reviewed event materials.

That combination of cultural programming and designated resource-fair areas is central to the event’s public purpose: bringing multiple age groups and community interests together in one Riverfront Park gathering.

Volunteer-supported event in central park spaces

Organizers say the event is supported by Spokane community volunteers. The use of Rotary Fountain, Orange Bridge and Clock Tower Meadow will spread activities across several Riverfront Park spaces rather than confining the celebration to a single site.

Northwest Unity describes Unity in the Community as the region’s largest multicultural celebration. That is an organizer description, not an independently verified ranking.

For attendees, the announced schedule identifies Aug. 15 as the date to plan around, with programming and vendor areas set for the five-hour event window. The reviewed materials do not provide a current attendance projection, and they do not list a detailed performer schedule.

The event’s return provides a scheduled setting for cultural expression, volunteer participation and access to several categories of community information. Its listed youth, career and education, health and senior-resource areas signal that the gathering is intended to serve residents across age groups in addition to presenting performances and the Cultural Village.

The destruction figure is preliminary and applies collectively to fires near Spokane, not necessarily to structures within Spokane city limits. The number was expected to change as fire assessment continued.

The fires were part of a broader Washington wildfire emergency. AP reported that evacuations affected about 60,000 people statewide as of Aug. 2, while about 390 square miles had burned across fires in the state. Those evacuation and burn-area figures were also reported during an active emergency and should not be treated as final totals.

Fire crossed the Spokane River

A wind-driven wildfire spread through northwest Spokane on Aug. 1, crossing the Spokane River and prompting evacuations of thousands of people, AP reported.

High temperatures and strong winds intensified the fire danger, according to AP’s Aug. 1 coverage. The National Weather Service issued a particularly dangerous situation red-flag alert for eastern Washington, signaling heightened wildfire conditions.

The available reporting did not provide containment percentages for the Spokane-area fires. By Aug. 2, however, AP said some of the fires remained uncontained.

Statewide emergency declaration

Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency on Aug. 1 as fires threatened communities in and around Spokane and elsewhere in Washington.

The governor’s wildfire resource page identifies the statewide declaration and provides links to Spokane incident resources, including Spokane County evacuation information, public-safety information and shelter resources for affected residents.

Residents in affected areas should use Spokane County evacuation information and the state’s wildfire resources for current instructions. Evacuation conditions and structure-loss estimates can change as emergency operations continue.

What the early totals mean

The approximately 600 destroyed structures reported near Spokane represents a major early measure of damage, but it is not a final accounting. The report does not establish where every destroyed structure was located, whether each was a home or another type of building, or a cause for the fires.

The confirmed developments are that the Aug. 1 fire spread through northwest Spokane, crossed the Spokane River, forced evacuations, and unfolded amid a statewide emergency. As of Aug. 2, fire activity near Spokane was still not fully contained.

Washington uses a top-two primary system. In each qualifying contest, the two leading candidates move on to the general election. The primary does not itself decide those general-election races.

Local coverage has followed competitive city, county and legislative contests, as well as issues involving county election administration. The available pre-election reporting does not establish final turnout, vote totals or complete race-by-race candidate standings.

County election offices are part of the focus

Coverage in the Spokane area has included the Spokane County auditor’s race and the replacement of the county’s longtime elections director. Those subjects put attention on both the candidates seeking office and the administration of future elections in the county.

The source material does not provide a complete roster of candidates or a complete ballot list. It also does not identify any candidate as a primary winner. Reporting on a contest, a candidate or election administration should not be read as an indication of an election result.

For Spokane residents, Aug. 4 is the immediate confirmed civic deadline in the material provided. The next known electoral step is the November general election for the two candidates who finish first and second in qualifying primary contests.

Transit measure received council support

A separate ballot-related action occurred earlier this year. On April 28, the Spokane City Council approved a resolution supporting placement of a Spokane Transit Authority ballot initiative on the August 2026 ballot.

That council vote was support for putting the initiative before voters. It was not voter approval of the initiative, and it does not establish the measure’s outcome.

The approved sources also do not establish the initiative’s final ballot language. Voters considering the August ballot should distinguish between the council’s April resolution and any decision made by voters in the election.

What remains unresolved

Before ballots are counted, the principal unresolved questions are turnout, the vote totals in individual races and which candidates will occupy the two advancing positions in qualifying contests. The outcome of the Spokane Transit Authority initiative is also not established by the pre-election material.

The confirmed facts are narrower: Washington’s primary is scheduled for Aug. 4, Spokane-area races and county election administration are receiving attention, and the City Council previously supported placing the transit initiative on the August ballot. Results will determine which qualifying candidates proceed to November and whether voters approve any ballot measure before them.

AAA’s Spokane metro table for Aug. 1, 2026, lists regular gas at an average of $4.845 per gallon and diesel at $5.999. Those are metro averages, not prices at every station in Spokane, and individual pumps can vary by neighborhood, brand, payment method and fuel grade.

Regular gas is steady, but still well above last month

Regular gasoline was down 0.2 cents from the previous day and up 0.7 cents from a week earlier. The larger changes appear over longer periods: Spokane’s regular-gas average is 25.1 cents higher than a month ago and 84.8 cents higher than a year ago.

For commuters and households, that means the day-to-day movement is limited, but fuel remains substantially more expensive than it was earlier this summer and a year ago.

Diesel nears $6 per gallon

Diesel rose 4.7 cents from the previous day and is up 10.6 cents from a week ago. The increase is larger over longer comparisons: diesel is 34.2 cents higher than a month ago and $1.084 higher than a year ago.

That puts added pressure on contractors, delivery operators, farmers, service companies and public agencies that rely on diesel-powered trucks and equipment. Restaurants, retailers and other businesses may also face higher delivery or operating costs, although the effect on prices and customers will vary by company.

Taxes are one part of the pump-price picture

Washington’s fuel taxes also changed July 1. The state gasoline tax rose to 56.5 cents per gallon, while the diesel tax increased to 59.5 cents. Spokane Public Radio, reporting from the Washington State Standard, said the increases were part of annual inflationary adjustments tied to a transportation package approved in 2025.

Those taxes are one cost component, not an explanation for the entire movement in pump prices. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says retail gasoline prices are affected by crude-oil costs and supply relative to demand, while diesel prices reflect the costs and margins involved in producing and delivering the fuel.

For commuters and weekend travelers, the immediate takeaway is that regular gas remains near $4.85 per gallon in the Spokane metro, while diesel is effectively at the $6 threshold. Actual station prices may be higher or lower than the AAA average.

What are you seeing locally? Share the highest and lowest pump prices you have found around Spokane.

Sources

• AAA Washington Fuel Prices
• U.S. Energy Information Administration
• Spokanepublicradio

What the 1-year freeze does (and what it’s aiming for)

Under the ordinance, the city is putting a hold on key steps in the building-permit pipeline for new computer data centers. That means applications for new qualifying facilities are not moving forward through the stages the city would normally use to review plans and issue approvals while the moratorium is in effect.

Council’s stated goal is to create “safeguards” while the city studies potential impacts and builds a policy framework for the next step—so decisions aren’t made before the city has a clearer picture of how these projects could affect land use, utilities, and community resources.

Where the moratorium applies

The moratorium applies to the area inside Spokane city limits. The pause is citywide for those properties covered by the ordinance’s scope and does not automatically reach projects on the other side of the city boundary.

What counts as a “computer data center” under the amended definition

As the ordinance moved toward approval, City Council adopted an amendment offered by Council Member Zack Zappone intended to bring more clarity to how the moratorium applies to facilities that include both a data-center component and other business activity—for example, manufacturing-related operations that also house computers.

Along with that clarification, the language also reflects a threshold change from an earlier version discussed by the Council: the definition was adjusted from 20 to 25 and removed the word “generally,” according to the City’s Official Gazette meeting/record. The Spokesman-Review reported that the updated approach blocks projects that use more than 25 megavolt-amperes, focusing the rule on the level of activity the city is trying to evaluate.

Timeline to watch: July 22 public hearing and the post-moratorium framework

The emergency ordinance sets a public hearing on July 22, 2026. Community members will have that formal opportunity to share views and hear how the city plans to evaluate the impacts while the one-year pause is in place.

The ordinance also directs the City’s Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and the Plan Commission to develop a Data Center Impact Review and Policy Framework. In practice, this work will likely shape what comes next after the moratorium expires—potentially including future permitting rules, review standards, and clearer definitions for what projects qualify.

What residents and stakeholders can do now

• Plan to show up for July 22. If you live near potential development areas or rely on city services impacted by growth, the hearing is the first scheduled moment for public comment on the city’s direction.
• Track what the boards and Plan Commission are working on. The ordinance doesn’t end with the one-year pause; it directs staff and boards to produce an impact review and policy framework. Watching those drafts early can help residents understand what questions the city is prioritizing.
• If you’re an applicant or neighboring business, ask how the city will measure the definition. Because the amendment narrows the rule using the updated threshold and language, stakeholders will want clarity on what information the city will treat as relevant during review for data-center-related proposals.

Business impact: uncertainty, and why the framework matters

Local industry advocates are warning that moving quickly to pause permits could reduce Spokane’s appeal to companies looking for regulatory certainty. Spokane Journal of Business reported that advocates argue the city needs time to study impacts without sending a signal that future projects will face delays.

For residents, the practical takeaway is simpler: the city has paused a specific approval path for new data centers, and the real next step is the impact review and policy framework that will determine whether the city’s final rules will be more predictable—or more restrictive—for future proposals.

Sources

• City of Spokane news release (Ordinance C36887 / July 22 public hearing included)
• Spokane Public Radio (SPR News Today transcript, June 23, 2026)
• The Spokesman-Review (local reporting on the Council decision)
• Spokane Journal of Business (business/economic frame)
• City of Spokane Official Gazette (June 24, 2026 issue; ordinance language change/record)

The rules are designed to reduce human-caused wildfires and also protect air quality by limiting outdoor smoke. Because restrictions can change, residents are directed to confirm the current status before lighting anything outdoors.

What’s not allowed during the restrictions

Fire marshals and the Spokane Clean Air fact sheet list these as prohibited during a fire danger restriction:

• Recreational fires, including backyard fire pits and campfires.
• Open burning, including yard debris and field burning.
• Recreational fires without a chimney—such as a backyard fire pit or a campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal.
• Fire bowls with removable mesh screens (not allowed).

What’s allowed (and the key conditions)

Spokane Regional Clean Air and area fire officials emphasize that allowed options depend on the device and the fuel used.

• Manufactured portable outdoor devices with spark arrestors, when used with approved fuels and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Examples listed by Fire Marshals include manufactured barbecues, pellet grills, smokers, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces, and patio heaters.
• Approved fuels named for allowed devices include clean, dry seasoned firewood, manufactured logs/pellets, charcoal, natural gas, and propane.
• Campfires: designated campground or park campfires may be allowed only when approved by the agency with jurisdiction (not as a universal “anywhere” option).

The fact sheet also notes that recreational fires are generally allowed on private land unless prohibited by the landowner (for example, in a rental, lease, or private association setting).

Where to check the latest status and device rules

Because the restrictions are in effect until further notice, Spokane Clean Air points residents to its:

• Burn restrictions status page for the current stage, and
• Recreational fires / open burning restrictions fact sheet (including photos) to confirm what your specific device configuration allows.

Enforcement and health impact: what officials want you to do

Officials encourage residents with questions to contact their local fire agency before lighting any outdoor fire.

They also warn that people who do not immediately extinguish (or stop) unauthorized burning when directed may face misdemeanor penalties under International Fire Code Section 109 and Spokane County Code 3.02.

On the air-quality side, officials note smoke can negatively impact health—posing the greatest risk to children, older adults, and people with heart or respiratory conditions.

Statewide context for certain burning situations

For burning that falls under Washington DNR’s broader outdoor burning rules (especially rule burning or permit situations), DNR directs people to check local burn restrictions first and to follow the Rule Burn or Permit Burn approach.

Spokane Clean Air’s status page also notes DNR restrictions affecting certain rule burning and indicates campfires are limited to approved designated settings under that DNR update. If your plan involves anything beyond a typical backyard cooking device, verify with DNR guidance and then cross-check Spokane’s current status before burning.

Sources

• City of Spokane Fire Department — Fire Marshal outdoor recreational fire restriction notice (June 29, 2026)
• Spokane County — News Flash: Burn restrictions effective June 29/30, 2026 (fire chiefs coordination)
• Spokane Clean Air — Recreational Fires / Open Burning Restrictions fact sheet (PDF, Rev. June 2026)
• Washington DNR — Outdoor Burning guidance (state-level context on restrictions/permits)

The proposal is not a completed ban. City officials said the pause would give Spokane time to evaluate whether it has the right rules in place before any large project advances, including a look at the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Water Conservation Plan, Water System Plan and economic development strategy.

Why the issue escalated

The timing matters because Avista said June 12 that it was pausing processing energy requests tied to a potential large data-center developer. In its public statement, the utility said it wanted more time to work with government agencies, local leaders and other stakeholders on a coordinated planning process after community concern about the earlier memorandum of understanding.

Avista’s May 29 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission says the company entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with a developer in its Washington service territory. The filing says the customer is seeking an initial load of 125 megawatts starting in 2029, with a pathway to 500 megawatts by 2032, subject to further evaluation, regulatory review and definitive agreements.

The filing does not identify the company or the location. The city and utility dispute is instead about what Spokane should allow, and on what terms, before a project of that scale moves forward.

What Spokane residents should watch next

For homeowners and renters, the immediate issue is not a data center already arriving in the neighborhood. It is whether Spokane wants to slow approvals while it studies possible effects on electricity, water use, noise and other local impacts.

For business owners and workers, the case matters because large-load projects can shape grid planning, permit standards and development rules. For ratepayers, the central question is whether added infrastructure costs will be pushed onto existing customers or covered by the project itself.

The city release said council was scheduled to act on the item June 15. Because the sources provided here do not verify a final vote, the safest reading is that Spokane had introduced a moratorium proposal, not a permanent citywide ban. Residents should watch for whether council advances, amends or drops the measure and whether staff begin drafting longer-term data-center rules.

Sources

• City of Spokane: data center moratorium release
• Avista: pause on 500 MW data center request
• Avista SEC filing on the non-binding MOU

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation said all of Camp Sekani is closed to the public until further notice to support fire response and keep people safe. The city also said recreation access remained open on public land to the west, from Esmeralda Golf Course and Spokane County’s Shields Park.

Spokane police said they responded to a mutual-aid request from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, went door to door to help with evacuations, and assisted with road closures so firefighters could work the area.

West Valley School District said bus routes were limited on June 17 because of ongoing road closures tied to the Camp Sekani fire, adding another practical disruption for families near the fire area.

Spokane Public Radio reported the fire was still active on June 17 and that Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations remained between Camp Sekani and East Bigelow Gulch Road. For now, residents should check official city, county and district updates before traveling toward the area.

Sources

• City of Spokane Parks & Recreation: Upriver Fire / Camp Sekani update
• West Valley School District: bus routes limited June 17
• Spokane Public Radio: Upriver Fire local impact coverage

The measure is not a new tax. It is a renewal that would continue an existing funding source if voters approve it on Aug. 4, 2026. Spokane City Council has already voted in support of the STA proposal, adding city backing to the transit agency’s push for voter approval.

STA says the renewal would help support bus service and strengthen future capital and grant funding. That matters because transit funding affects more than riders on any single route. It also touches commuters, employers, students, older adults, and workers who depend on bus access to get to jobs, school, medical appointments, and downtown or neighborhood services.

The agency’s board advanced the measure in a special meeting and included the renewal language in its packet materials. Spokane County Elections has the Aug. 4 primary election date on its calendar, which sets the timeline for voters across the county rather than just within city limits.

For residents, the practical question is whether Spokane County wants to extend the funding stream STA says it needs to help keep service stable and remain competitive for outside grants. Transit agencies often rely on local tax support when applying for state and federal funding, so the vote could affect how STA plans future projects and upkeep even beyond day-to-day bus trips.

The Spokane City Council’s support adds another layer of local significance. Council members have framed the measure as part of the region’s larger transportation and mobility picture, especially for people who use transit as a basic connection to work, school, and essential errands. That does not mean the measure is already adopted. It simply means city leaders have publicly backed sending it to voters.

The independent reporting around the vote has also underscored the political importance of the decision. A transit-tax renewal is the kind of ballot question that can draw attention from riders who depend on the system, taxpayers who watch sales taxes closely, and employers who want reliable access for workers and customers.

What happens next is straightforward: the measure will move through the election process, and Spokane County voters will make the final call on Aug. 4. In the meantime, residents should watch the ballot language, campaign arguments, and the specifics of what STA says the renewal would fund.

If the measure passes, the transit agency would keep that revenue stream in place. If it does not, STA would have to plan without that renewal funding and face a tougher outlook for service and capital needs.

Either way, the vote will be one of the clearest local decisions this summer on how Spokane pays for transit.

Sources

• Spokane Transit Authority press release on ballot advance
• City of Spokane release on council support for STA
• Spokane County Elections calendar entry

6th District Seat Opens Up

State Rep. Jenny Graham announced she will not seek re-election in Washington’s 6th Legislative District, which includes Airway Heights, Medical Lake and much of Spokane County. Her decision opens the door to a competitive race in a district that often plays a key role in state budget and tax debates.

Former Spokane City Councilmember Jonathan Bingle has already declared his candidacy for the seat. The early entry signals that local voters may see an active primary season centered on fiscal policy, public safety funding and regulatory issues affecting businesses.

Millionaires Tax Clears Senate

Meanwhile, the Washington Senate has passed a proposed tax on high-income earners, often referred to as a ‘millionaires tax.’ Supporters argue the measure would help address budget pressures and fund public services statewide.

Some state leaders have raised constitutional concerns, setting up what could become a legal and political battle. For Spokane-area residents and businesses, the debate ties directly into broader questions about state revenue, economic competitiveness and long-term fiscal stability.

PFAS Cleanup Plan Ordered for West Plains

Closer to home, the Washington Department of Ecology has directed Spokane County and the City of Spokane to develop a plan to provide clean drinking water to residents in the West Plains area affected by PFAS contamination.

The plan must outline how bottled water or filtration systems will be supplied to households with impacted private wells. The directive adds urgency to ongoing environmental and infrastructure challenges tied to groundwater protection and public health.

As Spokane heads further into 2026, these developments underscore how state-level decisions and local environmental concerns continue to intersect — shaping everything from water access to tax policy and the region’s economic outlook.

Sources

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/feb/17/spokane-rep-jenny-graham-will-not-run-for-reelect/

https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/jonathan-bingle-run-wa-state-house-6th-district/293-xxxx

https://www.khq.com/news/washington-senate-passes-millionaires-tax/article_xxxx

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/washington-ecology-orders-plan-pfas-west-plains/293-xxxx