Wildfires across the Pacific Northwest have devastated thousands of people ─ their homes, cherished mementos, even their livelihoods claimed by the fires.

The American Red Cross is here, working with partners in Spokane and across the region, to provide necessities like food, shelter, emotional care and other critical services.

Anyone who has been affected is welcome to stop
by a shelter for a hot meal, to charge their phone and get other support. 

Linda Murphy

Linda Murphy was making cookies for church when she learned she needed to evacuate.

"My husband came in and said, 'We need to get out of here now.'"

As wildfire threatened her community, Linda and her husband left home with little time to prepare. They spent two nights sleeping in their truck and worried constantly about what would happen next.

"It was just horrible wondering what was going to happen to our neighbors or what was going to happen to us."

After arriving at a Red Cross shelter, they found comfort, support and a place where they could keep their cat with them.

"From the minute we got here, they hugged us, told us we could get a warm meal and a shower and that we could keep our cat.

She says the experience changed her perspective on the power of compassion. "I didn't know people could be so giving and caring."

Diane Hermanson 

"Compassionate listening" is the service Diane Hermanson is providing most often to wildfire evacuees at the Spokane Convention Center this week.

"I sit with people and let them talk. I ask them questions to understand what they're going through," Diane explains.

Diane has more than 15 years of volunteer experience with the American Red Cross, deploying to disasters near and far in her capacity as a nurse. Today she is deployed in her hometown of Spokane, Washington and her work has never been more important.

Dr. Brent Conrad

As families arrived at the Red Cross evacuation center, Dr. Brent Conrad was ready to help.

With physician's license in hand, and part of our partner agency CHAS, he spent the next two days helping at the evacuation center and shelter, caring for people affected by the Spokane wildfires.

Asked why he does this work? "Love thy neighbor."

We're grateful for Brent and everyone who stepped up for our community. 

Max, Freya and Lucky

These siblings evacuated their home in the Indian Trail neighborhood on Saturday as wildfire flames came closer and closer. Their family arrived at the Red Cross shelter in Spokane and received a crate, food, water and litter… all the things a feline might need in an emergency.

“We're very thankful for the Red Cross,” mom Erin said. “They've been taking care of us.”

Disasters like this create more needs than any one organization can meet on their own. The Red Cross is working very closely with SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. and other community partners to coordinate emergency relief efforts and get help to people (and pets!) as quickly as possible.