Native America Calling: Tribes face record-setting wildfire destruction

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Native America Calling: Tribes face record-setting wildfire destruction

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

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Tribes face record-setting wildfire destruction

A frequent location of summer wildfires, eastern Washington State, is suffering one of the most destructive fire seasons in memory.

Fires on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have prompted evacuations and destroyed more than 50 homes and other structures. They are among the some 700 buildings destroyed in the current fire season in the state.

Over in neighboring Oregon, fires on the Warm Springs Reservation started early and were fueled by persistent winds. In addition to coping with the fires, the community is now facing worries about having adequate clean drinking water.

Fires in Washington and Oregon have charred more than three million acres so far. Tune into Native America Calling to talk with tribal officials working to save people, buildings, and land during an unusually destructive wildfire season.

Guests on Native America Calling

Monica Simeon (Spokane and Pauquachin First Nation), co-founder of Sister Sky, a business in Washington

Dan Martinez (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), tribal emergency manager for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in Oregon

Faith Zacherle Tonasket (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation), executive director and founder of xa?xa? Indigenous Birth Justice and a board member of the River Warrior Society

Tim Sexton, fire program manager for the Klamath Tribes in Oregon