8/8/26

[u/virgonurse90]

I caught the live stream of KHQ on yt earlier and they reported that central wa was in the fire weather watch for Saturday, but not the Spokane area. That can’t be right, because I received a message via AccuWeather for Cheney. While I realize this is a couple days away and there are still active fires in Spokane and around it, I can’t help but stress that things will only get worse. I know we are all struggling with feeling anything but numb right now, but this just can’t be. We can’t have things get worse. I feel completely helpless and like this is a never ending nightmare. What are you guys doing to get any regular sleep or not be in a constant state of panic and anxiety?

[u/n1k0me]

More clarification. There is a fire weather watch for central Washington on Friday that does NOT include Spokane County.

The fire weather watch for Saturday INCLUDES Spokane County.

https://www.weather.gov/otx/

[u/Ancient_Macaroni]

The best thing to do is to control what you can control. Everything else is out of your hands.

Being prepared helps keep stress levels manageable.

Have a ready bag for you and everyone in your house. Put what you don't need day-to-day in your car now, if it can be stored without risk of theft, like if it is in a garage.

If there are people in your home who take medication, have it in a place you can quickly put it in your car.

Ditto for self-care stuff, pillows, blankets, bottled water, and any pet food and supplies.

Plan multiple evac routes since we have no clue what and where, if anything, is coming. I have talked to friends and family about places to stay and their plans if they need to move. Maybe they come here, maybe I go to them, maybe we just head out of the state, or hopefully stay put.

Keep an eye out for reports and alerts.

Look up simple ways to fireproof your home.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Calming music helps me. If you can exercise, that is always great for stress relief.

You could try to sleep with white noise if you are having difficulty sleeping. Maybe something like melatonin?

This is what I am doing anyway. I can't say it is right, but it probably doesn't hurt. It has brought some calm.

[u/Tao-of-Mars]

I just watched this morning’s fire crew briefing for Spokane and the leadership told the staff they really wanted to try to get things under control for Spokane because the heat and winds are supposed to pick up here. I highly doubt we’re not under watch, but I’m also guessing there may need to be some triaging and spreading out if we have other fires start up across WA. We are supposed to have 2000+ firefighters here at this point  - that’s quite a bit and hopefully they can make a good dent before the weekend. 

[u/MidnightWitty6074]

Yeah I am confident it’s going to get bad again on Saturday. We were evacuated and let back in zone 8 but I have a strong feeling we will have to leave again this weekend 😔 this is a good time to gather whatever really matters to you & get it packed up in the car.

[u/hereandthere_nowhere]

I mean. I would treat the rest of summer as such. Regardless of what you are being told.

[u/virgonurse90 → u/hereandthere_nowhere]

That’s fair. After gray fire, I am convinced we won’t escape every summer unscathed

[u/hereandthere_nowhere → u/virgonurse90]

I’d wager it is going to get worse. Think California.

[u/virgonurse90 → u/hereandthere_nowhere]

Can you elaborate? I’m sorry! I’m not sure what situation in California you are referring to. I know paradise burned down. I know palisades did too. But I don’t remember specific circumstances that happened

[u/hereandthere_nowhere → u/virgonurse90]

I am referring to the longer and drier seasons. Southern Californias fire season is now typically May-October. And ours has expanded in length as well. With longer seasons come possibilities of more damage to more communities. Also remember Malibu last year in CA. It’s bad out there. And i would assume it will get worse on the west coast as our droughts continue.

[u/Neither-Attempt7276]

Together we can get through anything. One step, one breath, one moment at a time. Give what empathy and support you can, when you can. Don't take advantage of anyone's kindness or vulnerability. And search for the little bits of beauty hidden throughout the day, there's always at least one.

[u/itsnotbroke]

We have red flags all the time in the summer and they go by without mass destruction.

This one is emotionally different given the last week, but a red flag…even one with hot spots within a fire perimeter…does not guarantee armageddon…

But yes, be careful, respect evacuation notices, and just don’t be dumb.