2026 Old Trails Fire:
Early Insights from a Post-Fire Investigation
Explore early IBHS research findings on wildfire spread, building vulnerabilities, and opportunities to reduce future wildfire losses through resilient construction and mitigation.
Research
IBHS Post-Fire Investigation: 2026 Old Trails Fire Early Insights
The August 1, 2026, Old Trails Fire in Spokane County, Washington, destroyed 615 structures, demonstrating how wildfire can spread from wildland fuels into communities and cause significant losses.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) deployed a research team to investigate structure damage and fire-spread pathways, documenting observations at 132 structures across nine areas of interest. Early findings highlight the role of connective fuels, particularly combustible fences and mulch, in creating pathways for fire to reach homes. The investigation also identified vulnerabilities involving building materials, windows, decks, and other structural features. These observations reinforce the importance of addressing both building vulnerabilities and surrounding combustible materials to reduce wildfire risk. This report presents preliminary findings that can inform wildfire-resilient rebuilding, mitigation strategies, and community planning. Additional analysis will further examine fire-spread pathways and opportunities to reduce future losses.
Citation
Monroy PhD, X., & Sluder, E. (2026). IBHS Post-Fire Investigation: 2026 Old Trails Fire Early Insights. Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. https://doi.org/10.82346/DGXY-HY13
