Spokane wildfire relief fund tops $1.2 million as city prepares next round of aid

The useful part

Spokane's wildfire relief fund has grown to more than $1.2 million, city officials said Friday, as the city prepares to announce its next major round of financial assistance for people impacted by the Spokane Complex Fires. The fundraising total is significantly higher than the nearly $800,000 Mayor Lisa Brown recently said had been raised for fire victims. Erin Hut, the City of Spokane's director of communications, told The Center Square on Friday that the H.O.M.E.

How it works

• City officials are now working on plans for what Hut...
• All seven council members voted in favor of Special Budget Ordinance C36929.
• The measure amends the city's budget to accept wildfire relief donations into the H.O.M.E.
• Starts Here account and use the money to assist people affected by the fires.
• The ordinance was approved with an emergency declaration, allowing the city to move forward with the funding without delay.

What to take from it

While more than $1.2 million has now been raised, only a small portion of the money has been distributed so far. Hut said the city has provided $5,000 toward replacing sports equipment for children who lost their gear in the fires. Another $10,000 was distributed through gift cards to people who had remained in a Red Cross shelter for the longest period of time.