Douglas County, WA Veterans Service Office

08/13/2026

Vehicle Removal information for those affected by the Chelan Hills Fire

🚗 Vehicle Removal Assistance for Chelan Hills Fire-Affected Residents

The Lion’s Club will assist Chelan Hills Fire-affected residents with the removal of up to two burned vehicles per affected parcel. (This assistance is for vehicles only and does not include boats or trailers.) For additional vehicles, please refer to the Chelan Hills Fire Resource page for additional disposal options.

Residents requesting vehicle removal should:

👉Complete a Junk Vehicle Affidavit for each vehicle
👉Complete a Lion’s Club Vehicle Removal Authorization for each vehicle
👉Email both completed forms to the Douglas County Solid Waste Department
‼️Submit forms as soon as possible to help avoid delays.

✅ Required forms and complete information: https://www.douglascountywa.gov/901/Chelan-Hills-Fire-Information-Resources

🚨 Important: The Lion’s Club will remove a maximum of two vehicles per parcel, regardless of the number of vehicles on the property.

Vehicle hauling is anticipated during the week of August 24. The exact date will be announced once finalized. Please check the Fire Resources page and Douglas County social media for updates.

08/12/2026

Be careful out there!

EVACUATION LEVELS LIFTED – 08/11/26 – SPOKANE COMPLEX FIRE

All Evacuation Levels Have Been Lifted

Caution: Firefighters, Utility/Recovery Crews and Others Continue their Work in these Areas

Today, August 11, 2026, at approximately 2:00 pm, in consultation with the Spokane Complex Fire Incident Management Team (IMT) and our local partners, all remaining Old Trails Road and Autumn Lane Evacuation Levels have been lifted due to continued successful firefighting operations.

All of Spokane County remains at high risk for fire starts. Please stay alert and check the SREC Official Evacuation Map for the most current and accurate Evacuation Level information in the future. https://bit.ly/SRECOfficialEvac

Recovery Assistance: Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group: If you have been impacted by the August 1, 2026, Spokane Complex Fire (Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview Fires), the Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group is organizing resources to assist you.

Although firefighting efforts continue, all Evacuation Levels have been lifted.

However, firefighters, utility crews, damage assessment operations, and other additional recovery work continue in these areas. Please be mindful of this important work, keep roadways clear to allow larger trucks and equipment to get through, and use caution when traveling in these areas.

CAUTION ADVISED: PLEASE be aware that in and around the fire burn areas, hazardous materials remain. Any partially damaged or burned structures have NOT been structurally inspected and may pose a serious risk of collapse depending on their condition. It is the responsibility of the home or property owner to ensure their property is safe. Anyone entering these areas, including damaged or partially damaged building/structures, does so at their own risk. Please use caution, wear personal protective equipment, and if a building or structure is damaged, have it inspected by a professional before entering.

We again remind everyone that all of Spokane County remains at high risk for fire starts. Please be careful and avoid any activity that could cause a spark or start a new fire.

See attached information from Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) and the HazMat Assessment and Public Information Advisory provided by the Incident Management Team (IMT).

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone in Spokane County for your patience and understanding during this catastrophic wildfire disaster. The significant losses suffered by many in our community are heartbreaking. As we move into the damage assessment and recovery phase, we will continue to provide information and support. Please be aware that this will be a long and challenging process, but resources are available to assist you.

08/11/2026

Thank you Chelan County Government for putting on a wonderful event to honor our local heroes.

11 recipients of the Purple Heart were honored on Friday at the third annual Purple Heart Community Ceremony. We are sharing a few stories of these brave men this week.

💜💜 Coxswain John C. Drake, center, is a U.S. Navy veteran who served during WW II. He turns 100 later this year! His family joined him at Friday's ceremony.

John was assigned to an LCS-L (landing craft support – large) in 1944. The ship headed to the South Pacific to prepare for support of removing the Japanese from the Philippine islands. Upon reaching the Philippines, the LCS was one of six ships anchored at the mouth of Mariveles Bay on the island of Luzon.

On Feb. 15, 1945, their first night at anchor, five of the ships were attacked by Japanese su***de boats. The LCS that John was on was one of four ships sunk during the attack. Many lives were lost. John received shrapnel wounds to his left leg and had both eardrums broken. He received treatment on a variety of hospital ships and in different military hospitals, eventually returning to duty after the war officially ended. John was honorably discharged from service on June 12, 1946.

Following his military service, John took advantage of the educational opportunities provided through the GI Bill, earning a degree in biology and education. Coxswain Drake’s story reflects the courage, resilience and dedication of the Greatest Generation. 💜💜

Read all the stories behind our 11 honorees on our website:https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/files/veterans-program/documents/2026%20Honoree%20Slides.pdf

08/07/2026

See you there tonight!

Join us on Friday for the third annual Purple Heart Community Ceremony. The event starts at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m., at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Help us celebrate this year's inductees into the Chelan County Hall of Honor.

08/05/2026

Your Voice Can Shape Local Veteran Services
We are gathering feedback from our community to better understand the strengths and gaps in our local veteran services. Your feedback will be shared with community leaders to help shape future veteran services.
✔ Takes about 5 minutes
✔ Veterans, military families, and caregivers encouraged
✔ Responses are anonymous
Visit ncwveterans.info/2026-veteran-services-survey to access the survey.
Please spread the word. Survey closes 31 August.

2026 Veteran Services Survey We are gathering feedback from our community to better understand the strengths and gaps in our local veteran services. Your feedback will be shared with community leaders to help shape future veteran services.

08/04/2026

Time change for monthly Douglas County Veteran's Advisory Board Meeting. First meeting at the new time is tomorrow.

📢 Meeting Schedule Update: Douglas County Veterans Advisory Board

The Douglas County Veterans Advisory Board has updated its monthly meeting schedule. Meetings will continue to be held monthly, but the meeting date and time have changed.

📅 New Meeting Schedule:
➡️ First Wednesday of each month
🕡 6:30 PM

For more information, including meeting agendas visit: https://www.douglascountywa.gov/386/Veterans-Advisory-Board

08/04/2026

Resources and information for those affected by the fires int he Spokane area

07/29/2026

Stay safe out there!

07/22/2026

A Memory Cafe is a relaxed, welcoming social gathering, not a support group or medical program.

There is no cost to attend. Check out the flyer for times and locations.

07/21/2026

Coming soon, Purple Heart Award Recognition ceremony. We're proud to be Purple Heart communities and are grateful for those whose service included this honor.

For the third consecutive year, the North Central Washington community will gather on National Purple Heart Day on Aug. 7 to honor local Purple Heart recipients throughout the region.