Recent wildfires—the Old Trails Fire, Autumn Lane Fire, and Fairview Fire—swept through the Spokane region of Washington state, leaving a trail of destruction. With 913 buildings burned to the ground, many families found themselves suddenly displaced, losing their homes and their sense of security. To support these communities through the challenging recovery process, relief teams traveled to the disaster zone to provide emergency aid and a comforting presence.
Immediate response and guidance
In early August, following an invitation from the Washington Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WAVOAD), a team of volunteers set out from Seattle at dawn. After a four-hour drive, they arrived at the Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) in Spokane to begin their relief efforts.
LEFT: On August 6, volunteers arrived at the Disaster Assistance Center in Spokane after a four-hour drive to begin relief efforts. RIGHT: The distribution held at the Shadle Park High School library on August 22. | Photos: Feng-Chiao Huang, Yu-Feng Wang
At the center, they assisted displaced residents in navigating online applications, providing necessary information and QR codes to streamline the process. Understanding the deep emotional toll of losing a home, the volunteers offered a listening ear, helping to ease the anxieties of families facing an uncertain future.
LEFT: National Guard members described the burned site as resembling a battlefield. RIGHT: Volunteers with Disaster Assistance Center Head Simone Ramel-McKay (second left) and WAVOAD Chair Christie Merrill (third left). | Photos: Tsung-Chi Tsai, Lu-Chih Liao
A community coming together
As the scale of the needs became clearer, a larger relief distribution was scheduled for late August. The initiative brought together individuals from across different regions, including Seattle, Portland, and Northern California. While some arrived early in the morning, others traveled late into the night to ensure everything was ready.
On August 22, families who had registered for assistance began arriving at the Shadle Park High School library, which shared a location with the fire command center. While waiting, residents were offered cups of cold-brewed tea. This simple gesture provided a brief moment of calm for those still reeling from the disaster.
LEFT: After listening to volunteers explain the origin of the cash cards, a survivor donates one dollar to pass on the kindness she received. RIGHT: Volunteers assess the disaster area with Salvation Army personnel. | Photos: Wan-Chieh Lu, Tsung-Chi Tsai
The collaborative spirit was evident throughout the day. Pei-Chen Chung (鍾佩珍), Director of the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, drove four hours to deliver fresh bread to the distribution site, adding warmth to the busy event. Local schools also played a crucial role by sharing the distribution information with the media, which brought local television stations to report on the event and reach more families in need.
Kindness in the wake of loss
The media coverage the previous day prompted many unregistered residents to visit the site on August 23 to seek assistance. Volunteers patiently listened to each family's situation, assessing the damages to their homes and their immediate needs. When providing the cash cards, they explained that the funds were gathered from the contributions of compassionate people around the world, hoping to offer timely support.
LEFT: Touched by the support and realizing they are not alone, a survivor shares a warm embrace with a volunteer. | Photo: Wan-Chieh Lu RIGHT: Volunteers made informational flyers to share distribution details. | Photo: Fandy Tsai
Many survivors were deeply moved to learn that strangers cared for their well-being. Even in the face of their own severe losses, some individuals displayed remarkable selflessness, declining the assistance so it could be given to others they felt were in greater need.
The distribution was filled with touching personal interactions. Upon learning that it was a couple's wedding anniversary, volunteers quickly crafted a small bouquet from available supplies and attached a decorative charm bearing the Chinese character for "Love." After enduring such upheaval, the couple received a quiet moment of celebration and a sincere blessing.
Later, a mother and daughter arrived carrying freshly baked banana bread to thank the team. Along with the bread, they presented a thoughtful thank-you card that included a handwritten note in Chinese reading, "Banana bread, contains gluten." This genuine exchange of gratitude highlighted the deep connections formed between the residents and those who came to help.
Building a network for recovery
The three-day operation not only addressed immediate needs but also laid the groundwork for long-term support. Through the WAVOAD network, a partnership was formed with the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Church representatives Marie Tamura, her husband Rod, and Susanna warmly offered their facility free of charge for the next phase of distributions planned for September.
Bound by a shared commitment to the community, this growing network of care ensures that the families in Spokane will not have to face their recovery alone.
Written by Yu-Feng Wang (王玉鳳)
