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Good morning, Spokane.
It's been a hard week, and a lot of our neighbors are still counting the cost of it. But this morning there's a little more room to breathe: the evacuation orders that emptied whole neighborhoods have been easing, many families are being cleared to head home, and crews have the Spokane Area Fires holding steady enough to shift from the front lines to mop-up and damage assessment. The smoke's still with us and the work isn't over — so today's Pulse leads with what you need to get home safely, where to find help, how to give it, and a few low-key things to do while the air clears.
In today's Pulse:
Where the air quality sits right now — and when it's expected to clear
Getting home safely: evacuation status, cleanup, disaster help, and how to give without getting scammed
A low-key, mostly-indoor weekend lineup
Let's get to it.
— Laina & Lucas Wyland
🌫️ How's the air?
Smoke is still settled over the county — the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency has us at AQI 119, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and the air quality alert is still in effect, though readings are trending down. If you've got asthma or heart trouble, or you're out with little kids, keep it short outside; forecasters expect us to hold around Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups through Thursday before it eases further. Check current conditions before you head out.
🔥 Getting home, cleaning up, and helping out
The Spokane Area Fires — the Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview fires — are now sitting at just over 10,500 acres with containment slowly ticking up, and crews have moved into structure protection, mop-up, and damage assessment. Evacuation orders are lifting in stages, but they're changing by the hour — so before you head back, check your address against the official map. Here's where to get the real-time picture and where to plug in:
🗺️ Fire status, maps, and daily updates: the official incident page — InciWeb: Spokane Area Fires
📺 Evacuation status and local coverage: KHQ's Spokane Area Fires hub carries the official evacuation map and is updating throughout the day
🏡 Cleared to go home? Head back carefully — ash, hidden hot spots, and damaged utilities stay dangerous for days after a fire. Ready.gov's after-a-wildfire guide walks through doing it safely.
🏠 Still displaced? Find an open Red Cross shelter here: Red Cross shelter finder
📋 Lost a home or filing a claim? The state Insurance Commissioner is sending experts to the local disaster assistance center to help policyholders.
💵 Want to give? Please give carefully — the Washington Attorney General's office is warning that scammers are targeting wildfire donors. Verify any fund before you send a dollar.
If you're safe and looking for a way to help a neighbor who isn't, sharing these links is a good place to start.
Friday
A quiet, mostly-indoor weekend below — all of these are inside, if the air is a factor for you.
🎸 Vandoliers + Buffalo Jones
Texas alt-country outfit Vandoliers bring their raucous, horn-tinged live show to The District, with Buffalo Jones opening.
Details: 9:00 PM (doors 7:00 PM) at The District
Cost: $24.10
See More: Link
🎷 Friday Night Jazz at Hotel Indigo
Imagine Jazz hosts a relaxed evening of live jazz in the Magnolia dining room — an easy, low-key way to spend a smoky Friday indoors.
Details: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM at Hotel Indigo
See More: Link
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Saturday
🎭 Game Night: Live Improv
The Blue Door's fast-paced, make-it-up-as-they-go comedy show — audience suggestions in, laughs out. (They were dark Aug. 1 for the fires; this weekend they're back.)
Details: 7:30 PM at The Blue Door Theatre
Cost: $10.70
See More: Link
🛒 "The Trail to Oregon"
Bright Comet Theatre stages the StarKid cult-musical send-up of the classic computer game — raunchy, rowdy, and audience-driven. Leave the kids at home (21+).
Details: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM at Stage Left Theater
See More: Link
Sunday
🎬 Mrs. Warren's Profession
A National Theatre Live screening of Bernard Shaw's sharp moral comedy, with Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter, on the big screen at the Bing.
Details: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Bing Crosby Theater
See More: Link
👑 Tucked & Loaded Drag Bingo
An afternoon of drag bingo hosted by Victoria Sumerz Kennedy — five games, five free cards, and prizes up for grabs.
Details: 3:30 PM (doors 2:30 PM) at Spokane Comedy Club
Cost: $15
See More: Link
In Case You Missed It
🏠 The Washington Insurance Commissioner is sending experts to Spokane's disaster assistance center to walk fire-affected residents through claims and coverage questions.
⚠️ Washington AG Nick Brown is warning donors about scammers exploiting the fires — verify any relief fund before you give.
🔥 For the full, still-developing picture on the Spokane Area Fires — containment, evacuation changes, and recovery — KHQ's fire hub is the most current local source.
Thank You!
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