Spokane VA reopens 10 days after wildfire forced evacuation

Aug. 11, 2026 Updated Tue., Aug. 11, 2026 at 7:17 p.m.

By Orion Donovan Smith orionds@spokesman.com (202) 853-2524

Spokane’s Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center announced Tuesday it had begun reopening 10 days after a wildfire forced the hospital to evacuate, and will return to full operations on Wednesday.

The medical center evacuated staff and 27 patients on Aug. 1, as the Old Trails fire swept through northwest Spokane, with Department of Veterans Affairs staff caring for the patients at shelters until they were relocated to other hospitals in the area, according to the announcement. Those patients were moved back to Mann-Grandstaff on Tuesday.

VA staff did a “deep cleaning” of the complex and restocked the hospital and on-campus clinics on Tuesday, the statement said. The VA’s other facilities in the area remained open throughout the evacuation, including the clinics on East Front Avenue and East 2nd Avenue in Spokane and on East Mirabeau Parkway in Spokane Valley, as well as the Spokane Vet Center.

“VAMC Director Robert Fischer approved extended Weather and Safety Leave (WSL) for hundreds of employees in response to the recent fires affecting the Spokane area,” the Department of Veterans Affairs said in a statement. The fires forced some Mann-Grandstaff employees to evacuate their homes.

Members of the Spokane VA team will provide information and resources at the Disaster Assistance Center at Shadle Park High School through Wednesday for victims of the Old Trails fire. Public information meetings for victims of the Old Trails fire are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Shadle Park High School, and for victims of the Autumn Lane fire at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mead High School.

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Spokane VA reopens 10 days after wildfire forced evacuation

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