Our latest newsletterOctober 2026

From NW Rebuild Project

A big milestone at Kane’s Marina.

Our longest-running client, Kane’s Marina, had its RV park holding tank system installed this month. We look forward to seeing what comes next, even as lawsuits over planned deep drawdowns of Detroit Lake are before a federal judge. Our Board is also reaching out across Spokane, and volunteer Sara Mohammed is building local connections and tracking resources.

Why it matters: Spokane fires

• $1B+ estimated value of structures lost (County Assessor, Aug. 21)
• 649 primary homes destroyed (four counties, Sept. 28)
• 789 properties cleared of hazardous materials (EPA, Spokane area, Sept. 16)
• Pending FEMA household aid (requested Sept. 28)

Regional recovery update

Rebuilding has started. Federal help hasn’t.

Spokane issued its first rebuild permit in late August. Washington asked for a federal Major Disaster Declaration on September 28, which would open FEMA aid to households. We found no approval as of October 24. State help of $750 to $2,250 per household is open now, with a deadline coming up.

• Aug. 3: Federal emergency declaration; no household aid
• Aug. 21: $1B+ structure loss estimate
• Sept. 16: EPA hazmat cleanup finished
• Sept. 28: Major Disaster request sent
• Oct. 24: No approval found yet
• Next: Before permits: asbestos survey, Notice of Intent

Volunteer spotlight

Bri Monson

NWRP volunteer since our very first meeting in September 2020.

Bri worked full time through her entire design degree. She and our president, Charlie Carr, originally met in college, in classes taught by Michelle Mueller, NWRP’s founding architect. After years with McMenamins, the Pacific Northwest pubs, restaurants and hotels built in historic buildings, Bri has joined KPFF, an engineering firm. She will keep designing and drafting for NW Rebuild Project on nights and weekends, because she believes in this cause. We are proud of her.

How we help

Here to help you rebuild.

We help families who lost their homes sort through their options with advice, referrals, and connections to recovery resources. For qualifying families, our volunteers provide pro bono professional design and drafting toward permit-ready documents, so rebuilding can move forward.

• Up to 19% saved on total building cost*
• +5 to 10% more saved with grants and rebates*

*NWRP-reported results. Not a guarantee.

Giving season starts in November

Three easy ways to help

Gifts to NW Rebuild Project help families who lost their homes in wildfires get back to rebuilding.

• Match it: Ask your employer about donation matching or grants for volunteer hours. Not listed? Email info@nwrebuild.org.
• Blue Bags: Request bags at nwrebuild.org, fill them, and return them to any Oregon BottleDrop. Supports the 2026 Wildfire Recovery Fund.
• Volunteer: All volunteers are welcome to help with administrative tasks. Email info@nwrebuild.org.

The Blueprint to Rebuild. NW Rebuild Project provides pro bono design and drafting support for qualifying disaster-affected families across the Pacific Northwest.

Sources: EPA (2026 Eastern Washington Wildfires Recovery; hazmat removal release, Sept. 16); Spokane Regional Health District; The Spokesman-Review and FOX 13 Seattle on the Spokane County Assessor estimate (Aug. 21-24); Washington Governor’s Office (Sept. 28 request); Federal Register notice of FEMA-3650-EM (Sept. 29); Washington Military Department wildfire assistance page; KHQ (Oct. 14 and city recovery story); KREM; OPB (Detroit Lake lawsuit, Oct. 6). Accessed Oct. 24, 2026. Dollar and home counts use different geography and measures, so do not add them together.