Victims Of The Hope Fire Need Our Help

My wife and I were supposed to move there one week before the start of this fire

This video was taken by a firefighter driving in hellish conditions through fires burning several thousand acres of forest and rural residential areas in the Northport - Kettle Falls area of Stevens County, WA.

This is the Hope Fire.

The fire started on July 8 and remains mostly uncontained. Ryan Sullivan, an Operations Section Chief with Northwest Team 8 provided this update today, July 13th. To view, click here.

Our friends, Iris and Jason Gardner, live right on the border of the fire. Fortunately, they didn’t lose any structures, but some of their land burned. Others, higher in the mountains, weren’t as fortunate. The fire has destroyed over 6,500 acres so far.

Iris, Jason, and many other community members have been working day and night since July 8th to provide food, water, and a place to rest to over 600 firefighters and emergency crews, as well as going door-to-door to check up on the well-being of the residents who remained.

Iris has organized a GoFundMe to raise $50,000 to help the community rebuild. She describes the impact of the fire much better than I could:

“On the afternoon of Thursday, July 8, 2025, the Hope Fire swept through our small, tight-knit Flat Creek community with devastating force.

Within hours, several homes were lost—but the people of Flat Creek did what they’ve always done: they stood strong. As flames advanced, neighbors became firefighters, holding the line with hoses, shovels, and unwavering resolve. Before wildland crews could fully arrive, locals had already begun defending homes, barns, and pastures with everything they had. And when reinforcements did arrive, our people stood beside them—tirelessly and courageously.

But the fire has taken a toll.

We’ve lost homes, hay stores, fencing, outbuildings, tools, and beloved land—including pastures, forest, and habitat. Horses and livestock now graze burned fields. The soil is scorched and vulnerable to erosion. Wildlife has scattered.

And still, this community has rallied.

Neighbors have brought in food, water, supplies, and support for those inside the evacuation zone. There’s been no shortage of grit—but we do need help.

We’re launching this GoFundMe to support the rebuilding and restoration of Flat Creek. Funds will go directly toward:

• Fencing supplies to keep horses and livestock safe

• Grass seed and erosion control to restore pastures

• Replanting trees and native seedlings

• Replacing tools, sheds, hay, and essential structures

• Helping families rebuild homes and lives”

Fortunately, our property lies just outside of the southern edge, and the fire appears to be moving north. We’ll begin our move next month and join the effort to rebuild and restore what was lost. Until then, I hope this newsletter will motivate some of you to donate. In addition, I’ll be donating the full amount of every new paid subscription that comes in for the rest of the summer.

Thanks so much!

Jeff