It is no secret Washington State has been heavily impacted by wildfires in recent years. The Carlton Complex fire in 2014 burned over 256,108 acres and 300 structures. A year later, the Okanogan Complex Fire burned 304,782 acres and over 195 structures, was named the largest in state history, and forced evacuations of three small towns. The 2023 Gray and Oregon Road fires destroyed 366 primary residences and a total of 710 structures in Spokane County.

In early August of this year, the Spokane Complex wildfires (a series of three fires) forced nearly 65,000 people to evacuate, primarily in Spokane County—the fourth most populous county in the state, and home to its second most populous city. In total, this wildfire destroyed 649 primary residences, damaged an additional 2,542 homes, and burned nearly 369,000 acres. This fire occurred in tandem with significant fires across Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Stevens, and Yakima Counties. In total, the 2026 wildfire season has burned more than 1,300 homes and other structures over 902,000 acres, and forced more than 118,000 Washingtonians to evacuate.

A. Fire-Related Eviction Protections are Implemented by State and Local Governments

After declaring a statewide burn ban and emergency on August 1, on August 10, Governor Bob Ferguson issued Emergency Proclamation 26-03.1. This proclamation provided eviction-related protections to tenants in certain eastern Washington counties and tribal lands, including a moratorium on pre-eviction notices for landlords in the covered counties. As the fires continued to burn, Governor Ferguson issued another proclamation on August 31, which extended and amended tenant protections.

On September 22, 2026, the Spokane City Council approved an eviction moratorium for certain renters in the city of Spokane while a declared emergency is in effect. The ordinance covers tenants who lose at least 10% of their average monthly income as a direct result of the emergency. The ordinance took effect immediately, so it will apply to those affected by the Spokane Complex fires, but it will also apply to future emergencies declared in the city.

B. Where We Stand Today -Tenant Protections as a Tool for Disaster Relief

As of September 30, 2026 all of Governor Ferguson’s tenant protections have expired, including the protections on abandonment and hosts of individuals/pets displaced by the fires. The Spokane eviction protections remain in place and will apply to those affected by future disasters that result in a declared emergency in the city.