⛑️ How to support Spokane fire evacuees

Wildfires Cause Evacuations and Destruction in Spokane

Spokane is facing one of the worst fire emergencies in Washington history, as three wildfires forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed seven hundred structures. The cause of the fires is unknown, but it appears the origins were “human.” [Seattle Times]

• What we know: The Old Trail fire is currently 3,619 acres and the Autumn Trail fire is similar in size at 3,351 acres as of Monday. Behind those is the Fairview Fire at 1,056 acres. Nine hundred firefighters were rushed to the area on Sunday, and Bob Ferguson has asked for direct federal assistance, which had yet to be granted as of 11am Monday. [Seattle Times]
• “This is not a normal season”: On Friday last week, the National Weather Service issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” alert for eastern Washington, which indicates extreme conditions for wildfires. This was the first time in the state such a warning has been issued. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 miles meant that fires spread more easily. Three hundred thousand acres have already burned in Washington this fire season, or the equivalent of seven Seattles. [KUOW]
• Air quality: Seattle is forecast to experience unhealthy air quality on Tuesday as the air flow changes direction and that could last through a good portion of the week. Staying indoors and wearing a mask if you have to go out is a good idea, as well monitoring the air quality using Air Now. For more tips, check out Seattle’s Wildfire Smoke Safety page.
• Fire-related transportation delays: Spokane Transit has said that routes and trips will be cancelled to help assist with the transportation of evacuees, so please pay close attention to any trips you have planned, and stay safe. In addition, train service between Seattle and Portland was suspended due to a warehouse fire in Portland, and instead Amtrak is offering bus transportation. [Seattle Times]
• How to help: The Seattle Times has a list of ways to support survivors, as does The Spokesman-Review. The City of Spokane is now taking donations through its homelessness resource, H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund to help those impacted by the wildfires.

🚆 Ballard light rail on track for…2042? Sound Transit announced an updated timeline for the completion of the long-awaited Ballard light rail line. The current proposal has the line up and running in 2042 — by then, maybe the Ballard Goodwill will be apartments? To stay on track, the agency will need to continue to find ways to reduce costs and raise billions for the project by 2033. [Sound Transit]

👮 Shon Barnes pens letter to Seattle: Former police chief Shon Barnes has written an open letter to Seattle, saying that serving as Chief has been one of the greatest honors of his career. Barnes, who resigned last week, will receive a $560,000 payout as part of his settlement with the city. In return, he agreed not to sue the city. [Seattle Medium]

🚗 ICE still using state data for arrests: A new report from the UW Center for Human Rights (UWCHR) says that immigrant arrests using Washington State driver data is only increasing, despite state officials claims that they have blocked federal agencies from accessing state databases. According to UWCHR director Angelina Godoy, as of last week, 79 arrests have been linked to federal agencies like ICE using state data to arrest immigrants. For more about how federal agencies exploit loopholes to access state data, listen to our January interview with Godoy. [Seattle Times]