On June 16, 2026, a fast-moving wildfire near Camp Sekani along Upriver Drive forced Level 3 evacuations for thousands of Spokane County residents. Multiple structures were lost. Governor Bob Ferguson requested a FEMA fire management assistance declaration. This is a timely and critical reminder for every homeowner in Spokane, WA. Here is what you need to know.
🔥 The Upriver Fire: Key Facts
- Fire started near Camp Sekani along E Upriver Drive on June 16, 2026
- Grew to over 352 acres within hours in dry and windy conditions
- Level 3 evacuations issued from Columbia to Bigelow Gulch in unincorporated Spokane County
- Multiple structures confirmed lost
- Governor Ferguson requested a FEMA fire management assistance declaration
- Spokane County Fire District 9 staffed roadblocks overnight
🏡 How Wildfire Risk Affects Spokane Home Values and Insurance
- Wildfire risk in Washington state is expected to grow nearly 30% by 2053 (First Street Foundation)
- Spokane properties carry a moderate wildfire and heat risk rating at riskfactor.com
- Properties that cannot secure affordable homeowners insurance face declining property values
- The 2023 Medical Lake and Elk wildfires drove Spokane insurance rates up 16.6% in 2023 and 21.7% in 2024
- As of May 2026, rates have plateaued with a 0.5% drop — but the risk of future increases remains
🏠 Spokane Homeowners Insurance and Wildfire: What Changed
- Homeowners insurance non-renewals in Washington state have doubled since 2021
- Some Spokane homeowners who have held policies for decades are receiving non-renewal notices tied to wildfire risk scores
- Washington state SB 5928 would have required insurers to disclose wildfire risk scores — it passed the Senate 48-1 but stalled in the House in 2026
If you receive a non-renewal notice for your Spokane home:
- Contact the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner at 1-800-562-6900
- Work with an independent broker to find alternative Spokane homeowners insurance coverage
- Washington's FAIR Plan provides basic fire coverage as a last resort for uninsurable Spokane properties
🛡️ How to Protect Your Spokane Home From Wildfire
Zone 1 (0 to 30 feet from your home):
- Remove dead plants, dry grass, and leaf debris around the home and roof
- Keep gutters clear year-round
- Replace wood mulch with rock or gravel within 5 feet of the foundation
- Remove firewood and propane tanks from within 30 feet of the structure
Zone 2 (30 to 100 feet from your home):
- Keep grass short and well-watered during Spokane wildfire season
- Space tree canopies at least 10 feet apart
- Remove low-hanging branches up to 6 to 10 feet from the ground
Home hardening for Spokane wildfire protection:
- Install ember-resistant vents to block ember intrusion into attic spaces
- Upgrade to Class A fire-rated roofing — the single most effective improvement for reducing wildfire structure loss
- Install double-pane or tempered glass windows to resist radiant heat
📋 Spokane Wildfire Preparedness Checklist
- Sign up for Spokane County emergency alerts at spokanecounty.org/emergency
- Know your evacuation zone at the Spokane County Evacuation Address Lookup map at spokanecounty.gov
- Prepare a go-bag: medications, documents, chargers, water, and 72 hours of supplies
- Document home contents with photos or video and store in a cloud account for insurance claims
- Know two evacuation routes from your Spokane neighborhood before you need them
- If you receive a Level 1 notice in Spokane County, prepare to leave. Do not wait for Level 3.
🏡 What Wildfire Risk Means for Spokane Real Estate
For Spokane homebuyers:
- Check wildfire risk at riskfactor.com for any Spokane property before making an offer
- Confirm homeowners insurance is available and affordable before closing
- Ask your Spokane real estate agent about fire risk profiles for specific neighborhoods
For Spokane home sellers:
- Defensible space and home hardening improvements can positively affect insurance availability and buyer perception
- Disclose known wildfire risk factors as required by Washington state real estate disclosure law
🌟 From Rios and Co Real Estate to the Spokane Community
Our thoughts are with every family affected by the Upriver Fire in Spokane County. If you have questions about how wildfire risk affects your Spokane property value, your insurance situation, or your real estate options, Emiley and Zech at Rios and Co are here to help.
