Zags Help Zags in Response to Spokane Fires

When wildfires burst across the Spokane region the afternoon of August 1, they did not come as a complete surprise. The National Weather Service earlier that day issued a first-ever “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag Warning to signal that the most extreme fire conditions imaginable were coming together.

By around 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, that warning turned into devastating reality as the City of Spokane issued Level 3 evacuation orders – “Go, Leave Now, Leave Immediately!” – for several neighborhoods. Two days later, many areas in and around the city remain under evacuation orders.

As alerts and fires started to spread, Gonzaga’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) convened virtually to prepare for how best to support the Gonzaga employees, students and families affected by the fires. Anthony Brown, director of Risk and Emergency Management, called the EOC into action just after 3 p.m. Saturday.

Representatives from all manner of offices across campus quickly found themselves organizing temporary housing for evacuees in Gonzaga dorms, building care packages, making supply runs, crafting financial assistance and leave options for employees, deploying crisis counseling, ordering masks and collecting air purifiers, and setting up a donation center in Hemmingson Center.

Dozens of Gonzaga employees ultimately joined together in those early hours of the wildfires and throughout the weekend to work for the safety and care of the Gonzaga community. And that work continues.

Employees from Guest Services, Housing & Residential Life, Plant Services, Information and Technology Services, Campus Security & Public Safety, New Student & Family Services, Health and Counseling Services, Human Resources, academic programs, Sodexo and more are working together virtually -- and in person and on campus -- to make the tragic circumstances a little bit better for as many members of the Gonzaga community as possible.

Their work has been an incredible example of Zags helping Zags, of living out the University Mission in service of the common good.

A volunteer pulls a wagon of donations at Hemmingson Center. (Photo by Zack Berlat)

The Gonzaga campus remains open, operational and colorfully showing off its beauty despite the smoky skies. As of Monday, August 3, it was also the temporary home of 136 Gonzaga employees and family members, 34 dogs, 15 cats and one pet bunny in the Kennedy Apartments that soon will fill with Gonzaga students ready to tackle the new school year.

President Katia Passerini’s message to the Gonzaga community over the weekend shared resources and information for supporting the displaced members of the Gonzaga community, and acknowledged the incredibly difficult work being done across Spokane by  “firefighters, emergency responders, healthcare professionals, utility crews, and countless volunteers who continue to work tirelessly under incredibly difficult conditions to protect lives, care for those in need, and begin the long process of recovery.”

For Updates 

To find regular updates on resources for Gonzaga employees and students, visit Gonzaga’s Wildfire Resources page. Please also watch your Gonzaga email, Morning Mail, and the Gonzaga University Facebook page.

How To Help 

The Welcome Desk at the John J. Hemmingson Center will accept donated items during regular business hours. Only items on the identified need list will be accepted. All other donations will be directed to The American Red Cross.

If you are able, we invite you to make a gift to support Emergency Assistance through the President's Discretionary Fund which provides immediate and ongoing resources for those impacted by the fires.