Spokane residents begin long process of rebuilding after Old Trails Fire

SPOKANE — Residents across Spokane are confronting the reality of rebuilding their lives after the Old Trails Fire destroyed entire neighborhoods. For many homeowners, today marked their first opportunity to survey the damage to their properties since the fire swept through the community.

The neighborhood near Rifle Club Road is almost a complete loss. Every lot on the street has been destroyed, leaving families to face the long journey ahead of cleaning up their property and potentially rebuilding.

For James Thrash, returning home meant seeing his childhood home reduced to rubble. “I still have a knot in my stomach. It doesn’t feel real. I’m still in shock. I’m numb,” Thrash said as he walked through the remains of his neighborhood.

Thrash began searching through the debris for items that held meaning. “Some family heirlooms. My dad’s wedding ring. His pipe fitters belt buckle. I don’t think it’s going to happen but my grandfather’s ashes are in there,” he said.

The cleanup and rebuilding process involves multiple steps, and experts say homeowners must understand the requirements before they begin removing debris from their properties. One critical requirement often catches people off guard: an asbestos survey.

Before any debris can be removed from the property and before rebuilding can begin, the debris must be surveyed for asbestos. This survey is mandatory and must be completed by a licensed inspector.

“We found through the Elk and Medical Lake fires a few years ago that about 20 to 25 percent of the asbestos sampling was coming back positive,” said Lisa Woodard with the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. “And that’s a percentage that you know none of us wants to come in contact with.”

The results of the asbestos survey will determine how homeowners can proceed with debris removal and rebuilding. If asbestos is detected, the process becomes more complicated and costly. Skipping this step or failing to complete it properly can delay reconstruction efforts and lead to unexpected expenses down the road.

Homeowners should verify that their insurance policies cover the cost of the asbestos survey. If coverage is unclear, contacting an insurance agent before hiring an inspector can prevent financial surprises.

The asbestos survey is separate from the hazardous materials assessment that will be conducted by specialized teams. Both evaluations are necessary steps in the recovery process.

For homeowners looking to hire a certified building inspector, the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency maintains a list of licensed professionals qualified to conduct asbestos surveys. That list can be found here.