Old Trails Fire: Carrie, Bill & "Poppy" Fund (Spokane, WA)
0% complete
$6,460 raised of
34 donations
On August 1, 2026, the devastating Old Trail Fire swept through the Indian Trail neighborhood of northwest Spokane, Washington. In a matter of minutes, the massive wildfire reduced the apartment complex to ashes. Among those who lost absolutely everything are Carrie, her boyfriend Bill, and Bill’s 84-year-old father, affectionately known by his nickname, "Poppy".
A Terrifyingly Narrow Escape
The speed of the fire was terrifying. Massive flames were actively tearing through the field just feet away from their bedroom window as they ran out the door. As they desperately raced out of the evacuation zone, aircraft dropping pink fire retardant passed right overhead, splattering their getaway car as they escaped. They escaped with their lives, their vehicle, and just a few days' worth of clothes and personal items. They are currently dealing with the immediate shock, exhaustion, and logistical chaos of total displacement.
Dedicated to Saving Lives and Teaching Tomorrow's Heroes
Bill and Carrie have dedicated over 20 years of their careers to medicine and public safety as experienced paramedics and flight paramedics. Today, Carrie is deeply rooted in the Spokane community, actively training the future generation of EMTs and paramedics at Providence Healthcare while simultaneously pursuing her PhD in healthcare and simulation.
They have spent their lives teaching lifesaving skills and running toward emergencies on someone else's worst day. Now, after this catastrophic wildfire, they unexpectedly find themselves on the other side of a major disaster.
The Urgent Road Ahead
The emotional and financial toll of this disaster is overwhelming. Carrie, Bill, and "Poppy" have lost a lifetime of memories, irreplaceable family photographs, and nearly all of their daily essentials. They are starting over completely from scratch.
A wonderful personal friend has gone completely above and beyond by providing them with a house to stay in at this time. While they are incredibly grateful for this immediate breathing room, they urgently need to secure and transition into their own independent space and long-term home.
The funds raised here are going directly toward securing:
- Immediate Essentials: Food, toiletries, and replacing basic daily necessities.
- Independent Housing Costs: First/last month deposits, rent, and moving expenses to get them into their own place.
- Long-Term Disaster Relief: Replacing furniture, clothing, kitchenware, household essentials, and completely rebuilding their lives.
How You Can Answer the Call
No amount is too small. Every single dollar goes directly to Carrie, Bill, and "Poppy" to help them navigate this unimaginable crisis. If you are unable to donate, please share this link with your friends, family, healthcare networks, and local Spokane community groups.
After a lifetime of being the ones who answer the call, they are now grateful for everyone willing to answer theirs. Thank you for your fierce kindness, your prayers, and your shares.
Note from the Organizer
Because Carrie, Bill, and "Poppy" need to focus entirely on catching their breath, as Carrie's sister I am stepping in from Sonoma County, California, to manage this GoFundMe page and handle all communication for them. Having been personally evacuated numerous times due to rapidly moving wildfires here in California, I know firsthand how traumatic these first few days are, and my goal is to handle the logistics so they don't have to.