Spokane Wildfires: Boots on the Ground at Base Camp

This past weekend on Saturday August 1st, a wildland fire started on the West Plains and propelled by 50-mph gusts of wind crossed the Spokane River into the city by nightfall. So far it has burned more than 8,000 acres destroying over 700 buildings and pushing more than 65,000 people out of their homes. Officials are calling it the most destructive wildfire in Washington state history.

As a reminder, here's what we've been doing so far

1. 50+ pairs donated for the crews fighting the Spokane Fires
   
2. Firefighter recharge station at our HQ. Hot coffee, hot food, water, and a place to rest. Open daily 7AM-9PM.
3. Homefront day, August 5. 100% of profits from our sales online, in store and dealer orders will be donated to the Spokane residents who lost their home.
   

Read more details on our initial post here.

At Base Camp

As the week started we were granted access to establish a Homefront Booth at the Spokane Complex Command Post/Base Camp for the firefighters working on the Spokane fires. So all during the day and through the night of Sunday, August 2, JK Boots owners and staff were communicating and organizing to have everything ready to be there early Monday morning. By 6am we had already arrived at base camp and got straight to work passing out drinks and electrolytes and coordinating with the Firefighters to get them fresh JK Boots. Afterwards in the afternoon, after receiving in lots of refreshment donations we went back to base camp to hand them out along with boots for those who reached out and needed them.

You can tell a lot about a fire season by looking at a firefighter’s boots. Just the past couple of days alone we’ve seen many that are just needing lots of help. While we've been set up at the Spokane base camp, we've had the opportunity to serve multiple firefighters that have stopped by our booth and hear their unique stories.

Moving Nonstop and Soles Melting Off

For one, after moving nonstop from fire to fire without even having time to set up camp before being sent right to another incident, after seeing the condition of his boots, we were honored to get him into a new pair of handmade fire boots so he could head into his next assignment with gear he could count on.

For Ryder, after having his soles completely melt off, his next best option was borrowing a friend’s boots a size and a half too small. It was a no brainer to get him into a new pair of boots.

Held Together With Duct Tape

After Kenny reached out to our emergency line and we connected with him, we saw why he had reached out. His fire boots had given everything they had and it just wasn’t enough. They were being held together with just duct tape after weeks of hard work with his Seattle Watershed strike team. Giving him a new pair was easy, the best part being his reaction. Kenny walked around showing everyone his new boots, kicking his feet out, and smiling like he couldn’t believe it. Before lone, three more members of his crew were fitted with new boots too.

Four Years, Still Going Strong

There was a younger firefighter on one of the incredible crews we were honored to donate wildland fire boots to. She has been wearing her JK Boots for 4-5 years, and they’re still going strong. She told us how much she loves them and how they’ve held up through the demanding conditions, the miles, and long shifts of wildland firefighting. Their crew leader also told us he had never owned a pair of boots like these.

A Familiar Face From Miller Timber

As the day shift crews were returning from another long day to the Spokane Complex Fires base camp, we saw a familiar face from Miller Timber. Owen has been a longtime JK customer and didn’t have any time to get his boots resoled, so we got him into a new pair of wildland fire boots before he headed back out.

The Little Things That Matter

For some of these firefighters, a new pair of wildland fire boots is only part of the equation. When we were at base camp, Tim spent time fitting a new firefighter with his boots and showing him a lacing technique to help relieve pressure and prevent hot spots. These are the little things that can make a big difference.

The right fit matters just as much as the boots themselves, this is why we take the time to make sure every firefighter leaves with boots that they can rely on along with the knowledge they need to get the most out of them.

Four Days In

August 4 marked the fourth official day of the fire and the second day we were at base camp supporting the crews. Hundreds of wildland firefighters gathered for the morning briefing at the base camp before another long day on the line. Their message stood out.

 “We’re here for them. Part of their recovery is us being here.”

This is why we love the fire community and why we show up at fire camp. They just give with everything they have. To every wildland firefighter, engine crew, hand crew, and strike team working through this season - thank you! We’re proud to support the people protecting our communities, homes, and forests.

How We Can Continue To Help

Now it’s our turn to stand behind them and our neighbors who are recovering. Over these last four days we’ve watched our community show up in an incredible way with donations dropped off at our stores and messages asking how to help. Thank you for showing what community looks like. There are still two ways where you can make an immediate impact:

1. Our firefighters are still in need of hydration supplies like water, electrolyte drinks, and energy drinks. With every case donated helping keep the crews going. We are accepting donation drop offs here at the JK Boots Spokane Retail location at 10220 E Sprague Ave between 10am - 6pm.
2. Thank you for joining us for Homefront Day August 5 where 100% of proceeds from every purchase online or in any JK Boots store will go directly toward helping our community recover from the fires. Every purchase will make a difference for the families who have lost so much.