SPOKANE, Wash. — It's been more than two months since the Gray and Oregon Road fires destroyed more than 350 homes. For many people, the recovery is just beginning.
A group made up of representatives from Medical Lake and Elk met to talk about their immediate and unmet needs. The Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group was formed shortly after the fires.
Medical Lake's mayor Terri Cooper led the group which held a meeting at Spokane's Red Cross.
"It's just all of the key leaders and players for the two communities. And how do we coordinate information and resources to help people in recovery," Cooper said.
The group first formed shortly after the fires as a way to discuss immediate and unmet needs.
"People are devastated. But the resilience in the community is incredible. Because people care for one another," Cooper said.
In their meeting, the group focused on the delay of asbestos testing and keeping people warm as the weather gets colder. Richard Ziehnert is the chairman of the Elk long term recovery group.
"Riverside High School did a fundraiser and brought in $50,000. And with some of those dollars, we're buying tools, equipment," Ziehnert said.
Ziehnert says about 60 families who lost their homes in Elk are living in RVs on their property. But, as the weather gets colder, he's focused on winterizing their space of living.
"One lost their propane heat and the middle of the night and just barely survived to morning," Ziehnert said. "So as it gets cold, the needs rise quickly."
Washington State Emergency Management said between both areas, 242 homes have been tested for asbestos. Fortunately, not many homes have tested positive for the harmful fiber.
"10% of the tests have been positive. And within the test, they they have a grid. So we might be only two or three spots that were hot," Ziehnert.
But, Ziehnert says getting results has frustrated families.
"The labs will take two to three weeks," Ziehnert said. "So, we might have two feet of snow out there by that time. So the biggest issue with them is just that it's taking so long."
As homes test negative for asbestos, crews have come in to clean up debris.
"We don't know what our next emergency might be. But this is going to be a long term, we're not going to go away," Cooper said.
Cooper said she's already seen progress. One destroyed property has already began rebuilding its foundation.
For people who are still looking for help from the fires are encouraged to call the Spokane County emergency line at (509) 456-2233.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE | DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com.