'It's going to have a huge impact'

Key Points:

• The recent Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview fires in Spokane County have burned over 10,000 acres and destroyed more than 900 structures, posing a significant challenge for housing recovery and rebuilding efforts.
• Experts warn that rebuilding the lost homes will take years due to limited local builder capacity, increased demand, and higher costs associated with modern building codes, potentially driving up housing prices and rents.
• Spokane's housing market was already tight, with a shortage of 20,000 to 30,000 homes before the fires, and the displacement caused by these wildfires is expected to exacerbate inventory shortages, particularly impacting first-time and low-income homebuyers.
• Local government and agencies are working to expedite permitting and recovery processes, exploring federal and state assistance, and applying lessons learned from previous fires to support rebuilding and protect displaced residents.
• Officials caution that rebuilding will be a multi-year effort and that future wildfires remain a likely threat, emphasizing the need for ongoing preparedness and resilience planning in the region.