Smoke damage could leave surviving Spokane homes with hidden losses, consumer advocate warns

As firefighters battle 17 major wildfires across Washington, consumer advocates are warning homeowners whose houses remain standing may still face costly damage from toxic smoke.

The warning comes as neighborhoods in the Spokane area have been devastated by fast-moving wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes, while some nearby houses were left largely intact.

Herb Weisbaum, consumer advocate and contributing editor for Checkbook.org, said many California homeowners learned after previous wildfires that surviving a fire did not necessarily mean escaping damage.

“A lot of people are going to feel lucky that their houses were spared when houses next door in the neighborhood were burned down, and what they have to realize is that house may have been filled with toxic smoke from all the burning houses around it,” Weisbaum explained. “In the fires in California, people found out that in that situation, the smoke got in the house and left all kinds of toxic materials behind — lead and mercury and cadmium — which made the house technically uninhabitable.”

Weisbaum said independent testing often revealed toxic smoke contamination inside homes, even when there was little visible damage. He recommends homeowners whose properties were exposed to wildfire smoke hire an independent inspector if they suspect contamination.

“The problem with the folks in California with the fires they had was that the insurance companies didn’t believe there was a problem. They didn’t accept the tests,” Weisbaum said. “I talked to people who said their houses were toxic waste sites based on the exams that were done by independent experts, and the insurance company said it’s fine to move in.”

WA brings in out-of-state adjusters to help Spokane wildfire victims with claims

The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) told KIRO Newsradio it has brought in additional insurance adjusters from other states to assist wildfire victims. Many of those adjusters are in Spokane this week to help homeowners file insurance claims, answer questions about the claims process, and be ready to assist with any claims-related issues.

“That will certainly be on our radar. We just sent out an emergency request for out-of-state adjusters to come in. That helps speed up the claims process, and we will certainly be on the lookout for any issues homeowners are having with claims,” Aaron VanTuyl, a spokesperson with OIC, said with a hint of optimism. “In the past, I can’t think of a time where we’ve seen a situation like this where there have been mass denials.”

VanTuyl noted smoke damage is covered by insurance.

Weisbaum said homeowners whose smoke damage claims are denied should consider obtaining an independent smoke inspection. If an insurer still denies the claim, he recommends contacting the OIC for assistance.

Document everything before cleaning up, officials say

With wildfire season still underway, officials said homeowners in affected areas should carefully document all damage, including potential smoke contamination, before beginning cleanup or repairs.

“If you have a problem with the insurance company and they’re not settling, you need to contact the state insurance commissioner’s office,” Weisbaum recommended. “We have a very active insurance commissioner’s office in our state, very proactive. And I think if they hear complaints from people, they will do something. But if you’re having a problem with the insurance company, let them know. File a complaint with the Washington State Insurance Commissioner’s office.”

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