Eastern Washington Wildfire Resource Kit

Ongoing Wildfires

Spokane Complex Fires

The recent Spokane Complex fires have been extremely devastating to the community. If you have been impacted by the fires, below are resources for those impacted by the fires as well as information on what my office is doing.

What should I do if…

The Governor’s office is currently undergoing a damage assessment to include in a proposal to the President for a Major Disaster Declaration which may open up more public and individual assistance from the federal government. The Governor and the Congressman both signed a joint letter to the President asking for a meeting to discuss the Spokane Complex fires directly with the president.

https://twitter.com/RepBaumgartner/status/2089773467742638379?s=20

Replacing my passport

To replace a passport destroyed or lost in the fires, the U.S. Department of State requires that you first complete a request through their office. Under federal law, your application fee may be waived under certain circumstances, i.e. if the state submits a request for the Spokane Complex Fires to be declared a Major Disaster, and the request is subsequently approved by the President, formally recognizing the event as a Major Disaster.  This fee waiver is not retroactive (see 8 FAM 602.2-5(A)  Fee Waivers for Victims of Major Disasters). 

The Department of State further clarifies the process on their website, linked here: https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/renew-replace/after-disaster.html.

Although the State Department requires you to print and mail this form, the Spokane Library website currently indicates that they are offering free printing services at 7 different library locations for individuals impacted by the Spokane Complex Fires: https://www.spokanelibrary.org/fires/

Replacing my Social Security card

If your Social Security card was lost in the fires, our liaisons at the Social Security Administration requested that you first reach out directly to their agency to request a replacement. You can begin the process online if you have access to a computer or smartphone by accessing this page on the SSA website: https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card 

Alternatively, you may visit a local SSA office to drop off your completed SS-5 form requesting a replacement card: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf Send or bring the completed SS-5 form to your local Social Security Office. The Spokane Social Security Field Office is located at 714 N Iron Bridge Way, Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99202. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

If you run into issues after contacting the SSA, please contact our office for assistance. 

Replacing my Medicare card

If your Medicare Card has been lost in the fire, you can request a replacement online at Medicare.gov.

You can print an official copy of your card from your online Medicare account or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227 TTY 1-877-486-2048) to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail.

Congressional Assistance for Missing Military Records:

If you need replacements of your military records and/or military medals, our office can submit a request to the National Personnel Records Center and/or your branch of service as soon as we receive both your completed privacy release form and your completed SF-180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records” which can be accessed here: https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/2026-07/SF180-26a.pdf 

While you can submit your own inquiry directly to the NPRC or branch of service as indicated on page 2 of the SF-180, our office would be happy to submit an inquiry on your behalf and track the status of your request until the NPRC/your branch of service has retrieved your records and medals, as applicable.

Congressional Assistance for Upcoming International Travel:

If you are traveling internationally soon, once you have submitted your DS-5504, please let our office know, and we would be happy to reach out to our liaisons at the State Department’s Passport Services Agency to request expedited processing of your completed application ahead of your upcoming international travel.

If you have not already completed a privacy release form for our office noting the date of your upcoming travel, please complete the digital form which can be accessed by clicking on this link on the Congressman’s official website. If you have already completed a privacy release, please let our office know the date of your upcoming international travel. As soon as our office receives this information, we will be able to follow up with our office’s liaisons at the Passport Services Agency regarding your pending DS-5504.

Again, if you have troubles with either of these agencies after you submit the paperwork they recommend, our office can act as a liaison to ensure the applications go through the process smoothly.

Wildfires are the largest naturally-occurring threat for Eastern Washingtonians. It’s important to be aware of the wildfires that break out and how to stay safe.

Below is a list of federal, state and local resources to help keep your and your families safe from wildfires. I encourage you to read through the relevant resources applicable to your community.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you or a loved one need assistance or guidance. We stand ready to help in any way we can.

Stay safe,

Congressman Michael Baumgartner

Download the Red Cross App on Google Play or Apple App Store
Download FEMA App or TEXT “ANDROID” or “APPLE” to 43362

Federal Resources

To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the DRC Locator or text DRC and your ZIP code to 43362.

State Resources

Resources by County

Stay prepared. Stay informed. Stay safe.