After spending 20 years in the fire service, former Spokane firefighter/EMT Tim Archer is now facing the work of rebuilding his own home

SPOKANE, Wash. — For two decades, Tim Archer was the firefighter/EMT helping families through some of the worst moments of their lives. Now retired, Archer is experiencing that loss from the other side.

The Old Trails Fire destroyed the home where Archer and his wife, Francie, had built their life, KREM reported. The couple escaped with a few belongings and their dogs, hoping they would have something to return to.

| NEW RESOURCE: Step-by-step command delegation

“I spent 20 years as a firefighter, so it kind of looked like what I expected it to look like ... but I guess I was surprised it was my house,” Archer told KREM.

When the couple returned to the property, the chimney was the only part of the home still standing.

Still, they found a few welcome surprises among the destruction. Their chickens had survived and a small cast-iron fire helmet was recovered from the rubble.

The helmet was tied to the career during which Archer helped others cope with similar losses.

| RELATED: Inside the Wash. wildfire response: Firefighter videos show race to save homes

“For 20 years, I was on the other side of it ... telling people, ‘we’re sorry for your loss.’ Now ... I can actually commiserate with those folks,” Archer said.

The Archers said their community has supported them throughout the initial days of recovery. Francie encouraged people to continue checking on those affected after the immediate emergency has passed.

“Keep sending those texts and keep checking in on people ... people have good days and bad days,” she said.

The couple plans to rebuild on the property.

The declaration covers six counties and tribal nations, helping fund evacuations, shelters, search and rescue, and other emergency response efforts

Authorities say a citizen tip led to the suspect’s arrest in connection with the Old Trails Fire, one of three uncontained wildfires that have destroyed at least 700 buildings

Crews used aerial apparatus to battle the seven-story Centennial Mills blaze as investigators prepare a drone survey

Officials reported 26 drone incursions in one day, including four that crossed directly into the path of firefighting aircraft

August 04, 2026 11:00 AM

 · 

First Due became the official platform for the CAL FIRE Incident Reporting System, known as CALFIRS, as the Department’s incident reporting system