MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. — It's been almost four months since the Gray Fire ripped through Medical Lake, destroying 240 homes.
Avista says it's now removed some 6,000 tons of trees from burn sites, and Spokane County Assessor Tom Konis says his office has worked quickly to provide tax relief for those who lost their homes.
"My staff processed 781 total tax reductions due to fires," Konis said. "Normally, we do 50 to 60 a year."
The Spokane County Office of Emergency Management says right now, $1.25 million from the governor's emergency fund is paying for some asbestos testing, and winterizing RVs some fire victims are now living in. The money is also funding disaster case managers with the Salvation Army.
"The case manager is looking how you were situated before, what your situation is now, how you are insured, how you are financially situated, and what are your gaps," said Medical Lake mayor Terri Cooper.
This week, Spokane County commissioners signed a contract with the state for an additional $3.5 million to address asbestos abatement and debris removal.
The county is still waiting on an answer from FEMA regarding federal aid.
"The reason it's taking so long is because the president want to get to yes," said Chandra Fox, deputy director of Spokane County Office of Emergency Management. "Their preference is to be able to help, so they are looking to ways they can get us to a yes with that federal assistance."
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