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Agency official says many evacuated Spokane County areas will remain closed for weeks
Summary
A Spokane County agency official warned that, despite minor zone reductions, many evacuated areas will remain unsafe for weeks because of active fires, toxic hotspots and incomplete containment lines; officials urged patience and compliance at checkpoints.
A Spokane County agency official said residents should not expect rapid returns to evacuated areas, warning that damaged zones remain active and unsafe.
"Those burn areas are absolutely not safe for people to be in," the official said, explaining that hazardous materials and active hotspots make immediate re-entry dangerous. The official apologized to residents whose homes appear untouched but cannot be made accessible yet and said it could be weeks before teams can safely allow people back.
The official said firefighters have seen new blazes and hotspots in recent days, including in the Indian Trail area, and described the county's priority as preserving life. "When we know we can keep people protected, that is when we will change zones," the official said, adding that any return depends on containment lines and weather conditions. The briefing emphasized that while some small shifts would be made, large-scale re-entry awaits improved conditions.
Officials urged residents to be patient and courteous to responders, including law enforcement and National Guard personnel staffing checkpoints. The official said changes to evacuation orders will be driven by safety data, not appearances of untouched homes.
