Staff writer recounts his family’s experience the day the fires started.

By Dana Michie
Stevens County Times

The first weekend in August is usually one of the many beautiful, sunny summer weekends for which southern Stevens County is known. Families gather for weddings and reunions, residents head to the lake, and people fill their weekends with outdoor activities.

But Saturday, Aug. 1, was anything but an ordinary summer day.

For several days, the National Weather Service had warned of dangerous Red Flag conditions, with strong winds expected Saturday. Avista also notified customers that electricity could be shut off in certain areas to reduce the risk of trees or branches falling onto energized power lines and starting fires.

With little recent rainfall following a stretch of hot weather, vegetation throughout the region was extremely dry. The approaching windstorm made the already dangerous conditions even worse.

Then several fires broke out across the Spokane area, including the Autumn Lane fire near Nine Mile Falls. Driven by powerful winds, the fire rapidly intensified, behaving like a giant blowtorch and igniting nearly everything in its path. Burning embers traveled hundreds of yards, landing and starting additional spot fires.

Attendees at a catered event on Lake Spokane watched as a plume of smoke grew into a raging wildfire. Carried by high winds, the fire crossed the lake and embers landed throughout Suncrest, igniting spot fires and threatening neighborhood homes on the Stevens County side.

Emergency evacuation notices followed in quick succession. Level 2 “Get Set” warnings soon became Level 3 “Go Now” orders.

Residents packed whatever belongings they could carry. Plastic totes filled with cherished possessions were strapped to car roofs. Boats and camp trailers were hooked to pickup trucks loaded with family heirlooms. Classic cars, motorcycles and other valuables were hurriedly moved to safer locations.

With State Route 291 closed by the fire, Swenson Road became one of the few remaining evacuation routes. Nearly everyone needed fuel, and with Rosauers offering one of the only accessible gas stations, the line of waiting vehicles resembled photographs from the gasoline shortages of the 1970s.

A family reunion attended by relatives from out of town was among the many gatherings disrupted by the fire. After being evacuated, family members spent the night at the Williams Valley Grange.

A Fire Approaches Our Family’s Home

I was in Ford without electricity when my daughter, Shayla, received an evacuation notice for the home that Suzy and I rent to her in Suncrest.

Suzy was working at the Wagon Wheel when she also received the notice. The restaurant closed early, allowing her to leave and help.

My cellphone service in Ford relies on satellite internet, which was unavailable because of Avista’s planned power shutoff. After receiving limited warnings about evacuation traffic on Francis Avenue, I drove until I could find cellular service.

As soon as service returned, my phone exploded with notifications.

Shayla, who works with dog training and animal rescue, had already found temporary accommodations for her animals and was staying with a friend. Because there were no roadblocks near the house at that time and the fire still appeared to be some distance away, I stopped to retrieve supplies she needed for the animals.

From the backyard, I watched a red glow rise from behind the ridge across the canyon. Before long, flames were engulfing entire trees. Even from that distance, I could hear the fire roaring. At one point, I heard a series of popping sounds that may have been ammunition inside a burning home.

I loaded the needed supplies and left. Considering the intensity of the wind and the size of the flames, I did not expect the house to survive the night.

A Fireline Holds

Suzy and I returned early the following morning to see whether the house was still standing, and to hopefully find a cup of coffee somewhere along the way.

The wind had subsided, and much of the fire had moved away from the direction of the house. I was surprised and deeply relieved to find it still standing.

As fire activity began picking up again, we sat in the Rosauers parking lot and watched a bulldozer and additional fire crews arrive. We were later informed that a fireline would be cut behind four houses along the hillside. Our house was the first of those four going up the hill.

The bulldozer carved a line through the ground while a crew of wildland firefighters worked to keep the flames near the bottom of the canyon. Their efforts protected our home and the neighboring houses. Just as importantly, the fireline helped prevent the flames from reaching even more homes farther up the hill.

Every available firefighter seemed to have been called into service. Local fire departments were joined by state and regional resources, including wildland crews and firefighting aircraft. It quickly became clear that an enormous firefighting effort was underway to slow the fire and protect as many homes as possible.

Firefighters Gain Ground

In the days following the fire’s explosive start, firefighters made substantial progress. As of Aug. 10, the Autumn Lane Fire had burned approximately 5,776 acres and was reported at 73% containment. Damage assessments identified 168 structures as damaged or destroyed within the Autumn Lane Fire area.

The Autumn Lane Fire was one of three major fires that began around Spokane on Aug. 1. Together, the Autumn Lane, Old Trails and Fairview fires burned approximately 10,000 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 900 structures. At the height of the emergency, approximately 64,000 residents were under evacuation orders.

Despite the widespread destruction, officials reported no fatalities or serious injuries.

By Aug. 9, firefighters had prevented significant additional growth. Many evacuation orders had been lifted or reduced, and roads outside the most heavily damaged areas were reopening. Crews continued patrolling firelines, extinguishing hot spots and working in neighborhoods affected by the fires.

Investigators had not released a final cause for the Autumn Lane Fire. However, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said investigators had strong evidence indicating it was likely started accidentally. Officials said there was no indication that lightning caused any of the three major Spokane-area fires.

Although the immediate danger had eased for many residents, some evacuation zones and access restrictions remained in place. Residents were advised to continue monitoring official evacuation maps and emergency notifications because conditions could change.

Nine Mile Strong

I am profoundly grateful to the men and women who worked, and continue to work, as firefighters. My family was fortunate. Our loved ones are safe, and the house remained standing.

Many other families were not as fortunate. Some lost their homes, possessions and nearly everything familiar to them. My empathy for what those families are experiencing only magnifies my appreciation for the firefighters and community members working to help them.

People in the Midwest prepare for tornadoes, while Californians live with the possibility of earthquakes. Here in the Northwest, wildfires have become the natural disaster that shadows our summers.

I have lived in this community for more than 25 years. Every time something like this happens, our neighbors rally around those who are hurting.

For this community, #9MileStrong is more than a slogan. It is something people put into action. Once again, community members are stepping forward to help those affected by the fires and remind them they are not alone.

Community Assistance and Donations

The Nine Mile Falls community continues to rally around families affected by the Autumn Lane Fire.

The American Red Cross has established a resource site in the Rosauers parking lot, where services and emergency supplies are available to those affected by the fire.

The Nine Mile Store is accepting donations and distributing supplies directly to community members in need.

A larger community relief effort organized by  Kasey Watson and Toni Thornton is operating from The HUB, located in the Outpost Shopping Center. Donations and essential supplies are being collected and distributed from that location.

Updates about The HUB, including current needs, available supplies and ways to help, can be found on the Facebook group Nine Mile Falls Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Anyone planning to donate is encouraged to check the Facebook group or contact a collection site first, as the community’s needs may change. Anyone affected by the fire who needs assistance is encouraged to visit one of these locations.

This is what our community does: We come together, care for one another and remind our neighbors that they are not alone.

Technology to Keep You Informed

Anxious to learn the fire’s status, I found the live coverage from NW Storm Chaser on YouTube especially informative. Equipped with an exterior camera, Starlink satellite service and emergency-monitoring equipment, he traveled through the affected area while providing a live view of the fire’s progression.

Another valuable resource is the Watch Duty app, which provides wildfire maps, evacuation information and alerts. I usually install it during the summer fire season, and I highly recommend it to others living in our area.

These resources can help residents stay informed, but they should never replace official evacuation notices or instructions from emergency personnel. The Autumn Lane Fire is a sobering reminder that our fire season is far from over.

OFFICIAL UPDATES
 AS  OF AUG. 11

Source: Stevens County Emergency Management 

Public Information Map

Area Acres Burned: 5,764

Percent Contained: 89%

Discovered: 8/1/26, 3:33 PM

Current as of 8/11/26, 7:52 AM

Facebook Update

Autumn Lane- All evacuations lifted

All evacuation levels for the Autumn Lane Fire have been lifted. Residents may now return home, but conditions in the burn area remain hazardous. Please use extreme caution when entering your property. Recent assessments show multiple risks still present, including:

• Unstable trees weakened by fire that may fall without warning
• Hot ash pits hidden beneath debris
• Damaged power poles, fencing, outbuildings, and other structures
• Loose soil, rolling rocks, and compromised slopes
• Smoke pockets and areas with reduced air quality

If you observe downed utility lines, flare-ups, or other dangerous conditions, please avoid. Remember crews are still working throughout the area.

If you have experienced a loss from the Autumn Lane wildfire and are in Stevens County please fill out the survey at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/S0ffUV7861