Improved fire containment is allowing Avista crews additional access to safely repair damaged electric and natural gas infrastructure in wildfire-affected areas across the region.

SPOKANE, Wash., August 5, 2026, 3 PM— As firefighting efforts continue across the Inland Northwest, Avista electric and natural gas crews are getting access to safely enter more areas with damaged infrastructure.

Across the region, where it is safe to do so, Avista crews continue assessing damage, making repairs and restoring services to more customers impacted by wildfire-related outages.

“Every bit of progress matters, and we’re deeply grateful to the firefighters, emergency responders and partners helping make it possible,” said Heather Rosentrater, Avista president and CEO. “For those still waiting to return, especially those unsure of what they’ll find, this is far from over. We’ve seen people come together in extraordinary ways, and we’ll keep working until service is restored while supporting our customers and communities through the recovery ahead.”

Electric restoration update
Avista electric crews are now able to reach new areas to make repairs to damaged infrastructure near the Autumn Lane Fire northwest of Nine Mile Falls, working in the lower Suncrest area and pushing northeast as conditions allow.

Beyond the Autumn Lane Fire area, crews are also working around the clock in other hard-hit communities, including Fairview and Indian Trail, to repair damage and restore service as safely and quickly as possible.

With power restored to the majority of Inchelium on Tuesday, Avista crews remain in the area to continue repairs to infrastructure damaged by the Modrite Fire.

Across the greater Spokane area, approximately 1,070 customers remain without electricity, down from 2,900 customers Tuesday, as crews continue repairing and replacing equipment damaged by fires.

As customers look for continuing updates on when their power will be restored, please keep in mind that timing depends on safe access to affected areas. Avista is continuing to coordinate with fire and emergency officials to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

Natural gas restoration update
Avista is working toward starting natural gas relights later this week for customers in areas impacted by the wildfires, as conditions allow. Natural gas crews are continuing to expand their work areas based on current evacuation levels and direction from emergency management.

In many affected neighborhoods, natural gas relights cannot begin until emergency officials advise it is safe.

As residents are allowed back into areas, it is important to note that access to an area does not necessarily mean natural gas service can be restored right away. While electricity may be restored in some areas, natural gas service requires additional safety checks before it can be turned back on. 

Restoring natural gas service is a multi-step process that requires crews to:

• Inspect gas mains, services and related infrastructure for damage.
• Repair or replace damaged facilities as needed.
• Safely repressurize portions of the system.
• Visit individual customer locations to restore service.
• Relight appliances and complete required safety checks before gas service can be returned to operation.

Customers should not attempt to restore or relight natural gas service themselves. When relighting can safely begin, Avista personnel will come to customers’ homes with clear identification and work directly with them to restore natural gas service.

About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 429,000 customers and natural gas to 383,000 customers in a service territory that covers 34,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million.  Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit myavista.com. Avista Corp. and the Avista Corp. logo are trademarks of Avista Corporation