I had just spent several days in Spokane, Washington documenting the homelessness crisis when parts of the city began to burn. Multiple people told me they believed the fires could be related to homeless encampments in the

surrounding wooded areas or to suspected arsonists who have not yet been identified. At this point, there is no official determination on what caused these fires. But given the circumstances,

it’s reasonable to ask whether they were human-caused. Until investigators release their findings, the cause remains unknown, and it’s important not to draw conclusions before the evidence is in.

Most wildfires are human caused... They burn out of control due to mismanaged forests. 🤨

Washington state has major concerns. @POTUS @GovBobFerguson @komonews Washington state lawmakers cut WDFW forest health budget by 80% in 2025, from $3 million a year to $600,000, and did not restore that funding in the 2026 session.

The Idaho Tribune seems to think it's related to a data center that has met with local resistance.

The likelihood of this being caused by a human is over 84% and the reason it spreads is 100% due to mismanaged forests, infrastructure failures, and lack of responders!!!

What's the point in speculating unless your intention is to dehumanize homeless people? Life is hard enough. Focus your energy on helping. Ask fleeing families what they need. Post it to your followers. You have the chance to make a real difference here. Trash talk can wait.

I live 300 miles from Spokane and today I can smell the smoke. My eyes are watering like hell and the air/sky is hazy. Brings back memories of the Eaglecreek fire.

five fires all starting around the same time?

Of course it's man made. Local News Channel saying it's lighten strikes are complicit.

In Bellingham WA, we’ve had multiple downtown businesses burn down because of homeless people burning them, arson. People lost their businesses, jobs lost, city lost revenue and treasured local favorite spots. They’re still an eyesore, now we’ve got fires at encampments! Where does it end?

When my husband and I lived in Spokane over 10 years ago we lived in that apartment complex. Absolutely terrible to see what has happened to Spokane

Hmm, I wonder why the trees don't burn . . .

It sure as hell wasn't lighting . The lighting maps don't show any strikes for that day.

Outsiders coming here to spew conspiracy theories is disgusting and disrespectful to those who live here and KNOW that every summer is fire season.

Wondering where this dumpster fire was set??

There are literally videos of homeless people starting fires recently in Spokane.

Someone inspired the fent-fiends to start burning shit down. this was sunday morning around 6am in downtown spokane

If I had to guess, ALL of the fires that have happened in the last month here in the Spokane area were man-made.

And the data center they wa t to put in. Spokane is waking up to the truth. Now we need courage!

Believe that cause its probably legit. Washington literally encourages those living conditions and tolerates that behavior

Thank you for documenting this. You are probably the only journalist/photo journalists who has. We all intuitively know that the homeless are starting these fires. They are either doing it accidentally or on purpose, who knows? These people are a danger to themselves and others. The Democrats do not care about these people. At all! They make money off of them from grants for their NGO’s. They get to cosplay that they are humanitarians by giving them meals and free needles. Meanwhile, they are burning down everyone’s home. I don’t mean the homeless people. I mean the people on the left. They are the ones without which this problem would be solved.

The first thing I noticed about the fire was no fire truck was present to try to stop it. It was like they decided to let the community burn.

What you should ask them to do is to stop starting fucking fires. wouldn't be in the situation, if they didn't start fucking fires. Eat a can of chili fucking cold. Eat your soup cold. Don't start a fucking fire when it's fucking dry outside. It's especially how dry it is

Such devastation

Homeless? You mean vagrant schizoid drug addicts?

Well, no shit. This is a calculated event sponsored by Blackrock. Just like the Palisades fire. Figure it out,man.

Are these videos truly recent?

"I don't know how this started but I know there is a bunch of illegal camping happening right next to it! A mystery."

“Could be”. Really? They frequently, nearly burn down peoples homes in the cities when their campers catch fire. That’s when they are parked on asphalt/concrete. Now take them out into the forest.

much of Eastern Washington has been under Red Flag status for weeks and the entire State is in a Drought State and County EOC's are online responding and standing by in less affected communities while we appreciate visitors to do so under these conditions puts communities at risk - as a 'visitor' you likely do not have a support system or an escape route planned wildfires can shift suddenly and both First Responders and Fire Fighters can be at heightened risk you want to be an armchair expert, do it from the safety of your own home ... we've lost thousands of acres of forest lands and at least 650 homes and structures

Our Sheriff is Spokane County just had a press release tonight on a man arrested on suspicion of Arson. A felon from AZ

Are they pilots?

Democrats do that on purpose.