Four weeks ago, many of us in Spokane heard the words no one wants to hear: “Leave now. This may be your only notice.” The Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires tore through our region with a speed that left thousands of neighbors under Level 3 evacuation orders, filled the Convention Center with people who had nowhere else to go, and destroyed homes that families had spent lifetimes building. The flames are out now, and the air outside your window may look almost normal. But for a lot of us, the fear, grief, and vigilance haven’t gone anywhere.
That’s not something to push past. It’s something to pay attention to.
It’s Normal to Still Feel Shaken
Living through a fast-moving wildfire — even if your home was spared — is a traumatic experience. You made split-second decisions about what to grab and what to leave behind. You didn’t know, for hours or days, whether your street would still be standing. That kind of stress doesn’t switch off the moment the evacuation order is lifted.
In the weeks after a disaster like this, it’s common to notice:
- Trouble sleeping, or waking up at every unfamiliar sound or smell
- A racing heart when you see smoke, smell something burning, or hear sirens
- Irritability, numbness, or difficulty concentrating at work or school
- Guilt if your home was untouched while a neighbor’s wasn’t
- Grief that can feel disproportionate to what was “just stuff” — but home, memories, and a sense of safety are never just stuff
None of this means something is wrong with you. It means your nervous system did exactly what it was built to do in an emergency, and it needs time and support to settle back down.
Ways to Steady Yourself Right Now
Let your body know it’s safe. Fear lives in the body as much as the mind. Slow breathing, a short walk, stretching, or simply naming five things you can see and hear can help signal to your nervous system that the immediate danger has passed, even if the anxiety hasn’t caught up yet.
Limit the replay. Following the news and checking air quality maps felt necessary during the fires — and for many, it still does. But constantly re-watching footage of the flames or scrolling evacuation stories can keep your body in high alert long after the threat has faded. Set specific times to check updates rather than leaving them on in the background.
Rebuild small routines. Disaster disrupts the everyday rhythms — meals, sleep, exercise, seeing friends — that normally keep us steady. You don’t have to get everything back at once. Pick one or two routines to re-establish this week, whether that’s a regular bedtime or a weekly coffee with a friend.
Talk about it, even the “small” parts. You don’t need to have lost your home to need to talk about what happened. Say it out loud to a friend, a family member, or a support group: what scared you, what you’re grieving, what you’re still carrying. Isolation tends to make fear and grief louder, not quieter.
Watch for warning signs. If weeks pass and you’re still unable to sleep, function at work, or feel present with the people you love — or if you notice yourself relying more heavily on alcohol or other substances to cope — that’s a sign to reach out for professional support, not a sign of failure.
Be patient with the people around you. Kids, older adults, and anyone with an existing mental health condition may take longer to feel settled, and may show it in ways that look like acting out, withdrawing, or physical complaints rather than saying “I’m anxious.” Extra patience and reassurance go a long way.
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
Recovery from a disaster like this isn’t just about rebuilding structures — it’s about rebuilding a sense of safety, and that takes a community. NAMI Spokane exists for exactly this kind of moment. If you’re struggling, or supporting someone who is, please reach out.
Crisis Support
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — Call, text, or chat 988, 24/7
- Crisis Text Line — Text NAMI to 741-741
- 211 — Dial 2-1-1 for help connecting to local recovery and community resources
Ongoing Support
- NAMI Spokane HelpLine — 509-838-5515 text 509-209-3905 Monday-Friday 8:30-4pm
- NAMI Spokane support groups and education programs — free, confidential, and open to anyone affected, whether or not you have a formal diagnosis
If this fire season has left you feeling shaken, you’re not alone in that, and you don’t have to sort through it by yourself. Reach out to NAMI Spokane to find a support group, connect with someone who understands, or just talk it through. Healing happens in community — and Spokane has shown, once again, that it knows how to show up.