By Naghmana Sherazi
The first 12 days of August saw high temperatures globally that were either at par with previous records or beat them. We really need to consider what we are doing to combat climate change. To make a difference today, please bring 5 canned good items to your nearest foodbank. If you want to talk about what you can do as an individual, or as an organization, please reach out to me at nsherazi@landscouncil.org.
Wildfires in the Northwest; the blue dot is Spokane.
Our hearts go out to all the people, animals, and their homes that were destroyed by wildfire here in Spokane County, throughout the Northwest, and on the island of Maui, especially Lahaina. The devastation is unprecedented and heartbreaking. In Washington State, we have witnessed one of the worst fire seasons in a while. As you can see in this graphic, there is an urgent need to combat climate change, and to highlight how insignificant we are when it comes to natural disasters.
In Spokane County, much of the emergency preparedness and evacuation information shared on the City and County’s websites was only in English and at the most in Spanish. We really must do better, especially when it comes to information that is needed to save people’s lives.
Here is an open-source document from Asians for Collective Liberation Spokane that anyone can add to, detailing resources and shelters for humans and animals affected by the recent Gray and Oregon Road fires.
Here are some resources that our friends at 350Spokane shared:
Ways to Support Wildfire Victims and Firefighters:
Be Prepared: Both the Gray Fire and the Oregon Road Fire are mostly contained, but as a community we must be prepared to act if circumstances worsen. The better prepared we are, the easier the situation is for firefighters to manage. Some resources you can use to stay up to date on what is going on:
Donate to Local Relief Efforts: Your monetary contributions can provide immediate assistance to those who have been displaced by the fires. Organizations such as the Red Cross are working tirelessly to provide shelter, food, and essential supplies to those in need. The best way you can support them right now is through a financial contribution. You can donate for relief efforts here, and can even choose to support “Your Local Red Cross”.
Spread Awareness: Use your voice and social media platforms to raise awareness about the ongoing situation and encourage others to lend their support. Please be sure to ensure the accuracy of information before sharing it.
Being Prepared in the Face of Wildfires:
As wildfires continue to spread, it's essential to be prepared in case you need to evacuate your home. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your safety:
Create an Emergency Kit: Prepare a kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medication, important documents, and clothing.
Develop an Evacuation Plan: Plan multiple evacuation routes and establish a meeting place for your family members. Plan for bringing pets along.
Stay Informed: Monitor local news and emergency alerts to stay updated on the situation and evacuation orders. The Washington State DNR and Spokane Fire District are good resources for up to date evacuation notices and information.
Additionally, you can find valuable tips on evacuations and safety in Washington State here: Evacuation Tips In Washington State . You can also learn more about what the different evacuation notice levels mean.
Finally, we recommend reading this insightful article from The Spokesman Review on how individuals and businesses can best contribute to fire response efforts.
The Lands Council will be hosting listening sessions/workshops on specific topics this fall on what ordinary citizens can do at the City, County, and State level to combat issues around climate change, our environment, housing and homelessness, education, welcoming immigrants and refugees, and health disparities. Please stay tuned and reach out to me if you have questions at nsherazi@landscouncil.org
We can make a difference if we come together!
Naghmana Sherazi
Climate Justice Program Director
The Lands Council