SPOKANE, Wash. — Homeowners who lost their properties in recent fires face a critical hurdle before they can move forward with rebuilding: getting their debris inspected and cleared for asbestos. For many, the process has become a waiting game compounded by financial uncertainty.
Erik Schubach lost his home in the Autumn Lane Fire and still needs the Environmental Protection Agency to clear hazardous materials from his property and get his property checked for asbestos. The uncertainty weighs heavily on him, particularly because he is underinsured. When he does receive the asbestos test results, he worries his insurance won’t fully cover the bill.
“I feel like we’re in limbo. We’re just spinning our wheels waiting for all of the different cogs in the machine to come together so that we can actually move forward and start rebuilding or getting a new place or whatever we need to do at that time,” Schubach said.
Inspectors divide debris into labeled sections, collect samples from different areas, and send them to laboratories for analysis. The challenge lies in the testing phase.
Only one laboratory in the area has the capacity to test asbestos samples, and the fires have created a backlog. The local lab currently has between 500 and 600 samples waiting to be processed.
Some inspection companies have found a workaround. Michael Johnson, owner of Eagle Asbestos Testing, began sending samples to a laboratory out of state to expedite results for his clients.
“I feel for these people. That’s why we’re trying to get this done as quickly as possible and, you know, get them back in their homes,” Johnson said.
The cost of asbestos testing varies depending on property size and debris type, adding another layer of uncertainty for families already dealing with the trauma of losing their homes.
The city has issued 13 demolition permits so far, meaning those homeowners have completed asbestos testing and received clearance from the EPA. Currently, six people are waiting on their asbestos results before they can move forward with debris removal and rebuilding.
Despite the backlog, the local laboratory says it is working at maximum capacity to process samples as quickly as possible.
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