Resources for Spokane Area Fires

Spokane Area Specific Resources

The Spokane Area Fires continue to affect communities across our region. We know that many members of our Health Sciences Spokane community have experienced evacuations, property loss, disruptions and understandable concern for family, friends, and neighbors.

The university has been communicating with employees and students in Spokane and is expanding those communications to individuals in impacted ZIP codes. 

If you have been impacted, please know that WSU has resources available to help. Below are resources from external organizations and WSU.

• Spokane County Emergency Management: latest news, mass notifications, and evacuation maps and information
• American Red Cross
  • Northwest Region Help
  • Shelter Locations
  • Spokane Wildfires: Red Cross Supporting Evacuees as Fires Force Thousands from Their Homes
• Greater Spokane information and Fire Resources
• Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency: Air Quality Status and information
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling, legal and financial consultation, and numerous resources, including:
  • WSU information and resources about the Employee Assistance Program
  • Dealing with the News of Natural Disasters
  • Everyone processes crisis and trauma differently, and emotional reactions can emerge immediately or over the coming days and weeks. Please reach out whenever support may be helpful. Contact us for individual counseling or via phone at 1-877-313-4455
  • Suggestions for Caring for Yourself and Loved Ones
  • Evacuation, shelter, animal, health, family and emotional-support resources
• FindHelp: Community resources including Food, Housing, Health, etc.
• City of Spokane: Community Resources Available to Those Impacted by Fires
• Spokane County Wildfire Resources
• The Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group Disaster Relief
• Spokane Regional Health District: After a Wildfire

Paid Leave to Employees Experiencing Extraordinary or Severe Impacts of a Wildfire Disaster

Non-represented Employees

In accordance with WAC 357-31-326(4), “an employer may allow up to 24 hours of leave with pay per occurrence to employees who are experiencing extraordinary or severe impacts of a wildfire disaster in the event the governor declares a state of emergency in any area of the state of Washington where the employee resides. Examples of extraordinary or severe impacts are displacement from their home temporarily or permanently through evacuation, or significant damage or loss.

The employer may require verification of the extraordinary or severe impacts regarding the use of leave with pay. In order to ensure continued essential services to the public, the employer may consider emergency operations requirements and/or program and staffing replacement requirements in the approval and scheduling of leave under this subsection. Leave under this subsection must be used within three months from the date the state of emergency was declared.

Represented Employees

The Governor’s wildfire proclamation triggers the provisions of the collective bargaining agreements that provide for wildfire disaster leave. Consult your applicable collective bargaining agreements for the specific terms.

Can this leave be used for more than one instance?

Yes, there may be certain scenarios that warrant another set of 24 hours of leave with pay. For example, an employee initially being evacuated for one wildfire threat, and then potentially being evacuated again for another wildfire threat during the state of emergency.

Can employees bank this leave?

No, this leave is only available during the state of emergency; however, employees have flexibility in the timing of the leave (with employer approval), i.e., it does not have to be taken immediately if the employee’s situation warrants it.