Spokane Wildfire Relief: How to Give Wisely and Help

Spokane wildfire relief begins with generosity and knowing how to make sure your donation can make a difference.

Spokane Wildfire Recovery Is Underway

Three major wildfires devastated the Spokane area beginning August 1, 2026, burning more than 10,500 acres, forcing evacuation of 65,000 residents, destroying more than 900 homes, and damaging hundreds of structures.

Now, with the fires largely contained, one suspect arrested, and many evacuation orders lifted, cleanup and recovery efforts are underway. But neighborhoods remain hazardous, many families are still displaced, and the recovery will take time.

Trusted Charities Providing Spokane Wildfire Relief

Some BBB Accredited Charities are assisting with response and recovery:

• The American Red Cross is providing shelter, meals, health and mental-health support, and medical and emergency supplies. Learn more.

• Direct Relief is deploying emergency-response staff to Washington, coordinating medical needs, and assessing needs with local partners. Learn more.

• The Salvation Army is offering food, water, emotional and support. Learn more.

• United Way of Pierce County and its partners are assisting with shelter, food, transportation, replacement essentials, temporary housing, and longer-term recovery support. Learn more.

Tips for Donating Wisely After the Spokane Wildfires

For those looking to help people affected by the fires or support organizations providing relief in the area, here are some tips to help you make wise giving decisions:

• Give to established charities. Charities with experience responding to disasters are more likely to have the resources, relationships, and expertise to provide assistance quickly and effectively. Be cautious of organizations formed in the wake of a disaster, as they may not have the connections, budgets, or experience to deliver on their promises.

• Give money to enable flexibility. Monetary donations are typically the quickest and most effective way to help, giving charities the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most.

• Consider volunteering or in-kind donations, when appropriate. If you live near an affected area, volunteering or donating goods can be beneficial. For example, there may be opportunities to provide temporary housing for firefighters or donate nonperishable food. Contact organizations such as the Salvation Army or United Way to learn what is currently needed.

• Understand crowdfunding. If you are considering a crowdfunding campaign, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust. Review the platform’s policies and procedures, keeping in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take steps to vet campaigns, others do not.

• Be wary of vague appeals. Be cautious of appeals that do not clearly explain how donations will be used. Will funds help displaced families with temporary shelter, or help deploy emergency personnel?

• Be scam-aware. Watch for celebrity impersonations, suspicious links or QR codes on social media, and phishing emails. If you have a particular charity in mind, double-check the organization’s name and go directly to its official website to make your donation safely. You can find additional information about spotting charity impersonation scams here.

• Verify charity trustworthiness. We recommend supporting charities that meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. If a BBB charity report is not available for an organization you are considering, review its website for information on past achievements, leadership, financial transparency, and the specific types of support it provides.

Want to learn more about disaster giving? Explore our guide to disaster relief to understand the phases of disaster response and how charities help before, during, and after a disaster.

BBB Accredited Charities Supporting Spokane Wildfire Relief