Spokane Fire Survivors Must Clear Asbestos Surveys as 20% to 25% of Samples Test Positive

3 articles · Updated · KXLY Spokane · Aug 11

Entire blocks near Rifle Club Road were reduced to rubble, and many Spokane homeowners were allowed back for the first time to assess losses from the Old Trails Fire.
Before any debris can be removed or rebuilding can start, residents must obtain a licensed asbestos survey — a requirement officials say often surprises homeowners.
Lisa Woodard of the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency said 20% to 25% of asbestos sampling after the Elk and Medical Lake fires came back positive, raising health risks and potential cleanup costs.
A positive result can complicate and delay reconstruction, and homeowners are being urged to confirm whether insurance covers the survey before hiring an inspector.
The asbestos check is separate from a hazardous-materials assessment by specialized teams, making it one of several required steps in Spokane's longer recovery process.

Sources

Could strict asbestos regulations be secretly delaying Spokane's wildfire recovery and leaving toxic debris exposed?

Beyond the ashes, what hidden toxic dangers are currently lingering in the air of Spokane's leveled neighborhoods?

What happens to displaced Spokane families if their insurance refuses to cover the mandatory hazardous material cleanups?