NESPELEM, Wash. — A community already scarred by wildfire is now grappling with a new wave of destruction. Three fires in just two weeks have left residents of Nespelem questioning whether they can continue living in an area increasingly vulnerable to flames.
The Kaiser Canyon Fire surrounded the community two weeks ago, forcing evacuations and threatening homes across the region. But the danger didn’t end then. Two additional fires sparked in the days that followed, reigniting fears and destroying more structures.
On Saturday, flames tore through the area, destroying six homes in a single fire. Just two days later, another fire began on the Nespelem Creek bed and spread north, consuming three more structures. Firefighters managed to save nine other buildings in that second blaze, but the damage was already done.
Victor Becker, a resident affected by the fires, is grappling with the decision to stay or leave. “I question whether I want to stay here or not or move to another area,” he said.
The rapid succession of fires has left Becker feeling defeated. The smoke and flames have triggered painful memories from his past. “I’m depressed. I’ve got PTSD from the gulf war. When I was in it I’d seen smoke that I couldn’t see ten feet in front of me and um all this smoke brings back a lot of memories. It affects me big time,” Becker said.
For some families, the losses are deeply personal. Arianna Waters and her brother Sean lost their childhood home in Saturday’s fire—a house that had belonged to their family for generations. The cause of that fire remains under investigation.
“It’s just sad because there was so much here that we lost and I mean some of it was salvageable, so we could’ve gotten it back but the other fire just took it out and it’s all just gone,” Arianna and Sean Waters said.
For the Waters siblings, the loss extends beyond the structure itself. “Those were pretty much the only memorable photos we have and now pretty much everything is all gone now so we can’t get any of those back,” they said.
The community is working to support those who have lost their homes. A donation drop-off center has been established at the Colville Service Center, where the most needed items are underwear, socks, and pet food. Those looking to help can also access a donation link on the official Colville Tribes website.
As crews continue to monitor the area for hot spots and residents begin cleaning up, many say they cannot rest until fire season ends. The Kaiser Canyon Fire has now grown to over 120,000 acres, and residents remain on high alert as massive fires surround the town.
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