Malden residents learn about options

MALDEN—The smoke has pretty much subsided, and with fall officially in the books and winter ahead, the victims of the Babb Road Fire gathered Sept. 23 to learn what the path ahead looks like.

Meeting in open-air tents behind the makeshift city hall which is housed in a mobile office structure, many masked — and some not — area residents heard from a variety of government officials. They outlined the steps necessary to first clean up and then rebuild following the Labor Day fire that blackened nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed an estimated 80% of the structures in Malden.

Gerry Bozarth from Spokane County Emergency Services moderated the event that attracted dozens of people from Malden, Pine City and the surrounding area and also featured presentations from Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers and Whitman County Public Health Deputy Director Chris Skidmore.

The cleanup effort is tough and complex, Bozarth told the audience. Efforts are underway through the state of Washington to have a disaster declaration on a national level which will allow FEMA to help with debris removal.

Skidmore had good news to deliver announcing that since the community is on a septic system that Whitman County will waive fees for any fixes that take place.

Bozarth spoke to the matter of disposal of scrap metal. Residents are allowed to go through the debris and place the metal in separate piles near the road. Sheriff Myers said his office is developing a list of approved contract scrappers.

Myers also addressed the issue of disposing of the many burned out vehicle hulks which have little value he said.

As for the need of vehicle titles, many destroyed in the fire, the sheriff said it was possible that 50% of the vehicles may not be able to be identified with a VIN number. Those would just need a sheriff’s sign off on a form in order to properly dispose of.

Burned out trailers do not have the same requirements as do vehicles he said.

Myers changed gears a bit in addressing a resident’s concern over reports of looting. His office had not heard of any problems, but if there are calls to his office they will be investigated.

Councilman Scott Hokonson briefed the meeting, informing them that further meetings will be held each Wednesday and Saturday at 11 a.m., “until we don’t need them.“

Hockenson encouraged people to be part of the Babb Road Fire Recovery Committee which will be the prime movers behind getting the town back on its feet. A specific website, email and Facebook page have been established for victims and others to keep in touch.

Bozarth is on loan from Spokane County to the Malden fire relief effort and he outlined some of the key steps in getting the rebuild effort going. The first job he said was getting the debris cleaned up and that residents would be provided as much help as possible with that effort.

Residents were warned to be careful with hazardous materials that lie under the burned out rubble and to make judgments on their own when dealing with the potential of asbestos and other problematic substances.

“Many old homes likely probably have those,“ Bozarth said.

Bozarth advised that residents should work with professionals to conduct tests for potential problematic debris. He said to first discuss the matter with insurance companies, but if there is no insurance the county is going to try to help.

Of the many concerns facing residents as they first clean up and then hopefully begin the rebuilding is the availability of contractors in a very busy building boom.

Some are saying they are out six to eight weeks before they are able to do work and that puts people right about the start of the cold weather.

The United Way and the Innovia foundation are the official agencies that are coordinating the collection of monetary and other notable donations. Numerous community groups are also helping the residence at a more basic level.

Paul Delaney was a reporter at the Cheney Free Press from 2007 until he retired at the end of 2018 and answers the call when necessary. He can be reached at [email protected].