Cheney sits at roughly 2,400 feet in Spokane County, about 15 miles southwest of Spokane, on rolling hills overlooking scabland lakes and wetlands carved by the ancient Missoula Floods. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge lies about six miles south, and Eastern Washington University anchors the town, swelling its population to around 17,600 when classes are in session. The city has about 5,350 homes, including properties in the historic downtown near campus.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral company, not a restoration contractor. Call (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving the Spokane area. Availability depends on which independent providers can take on new work. Read about how the service works and see the referral disclosure.
Scabland wildfires, deep freezes and windy winters
On August 18, 2023, the Gray Fire ignited near Medical Lake, burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed 265 structures. Medical Lake and parts of Cheney were evacuated, and stretches of Interstate 90 closed. The separate Oregon Fire broke out in Spokane County on that date as well. Spokane County was also part of a FEMA major disaster declaration for wildfires in 2024 (DR-4759).
Winter is the other extreme. Wikipedia's climate table shows about 42 inches of snow a year, most from November through February, a record low of -35°F and a record high of 109°F. Annual precipitation is modest at roughly 17.5 inches, and winters are described as cold, wet and windy. Spokane County declarations include the 2009 record snow (DR-1825), 2016 storms with straight-line winds (DR-4249), 2017 winter storms with flooding (DR-4309) and the 2021 winter storm (DR-4593).
Smoke, ash and fire damage cleanup on the Palouse
When grass and brush fires run across the scablands, even homes that never see flames can fill with smoke. Ash settles in attics, vents and window tracks, and odor clings to carpet, upholstery and clothing. For homes that do burn, soot and suppression water spread damage well beyond the fire's path.
Fire damage restoration typically starts once authorities allow re-entry. A reputable contractor will usually secure the structure, remove debris, clean soot surface by surface, replace HVAC filters, clean ductwork when needed and treat odor with filtration, fogging or sealing. See fire damage restoration, smoke damage cleanup and smoke odor removal.
Federal disaster declarations that included Spokane County
FEMA records show Spokane County was included in 5 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 severe storm, 1 fire, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Cheney was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Wildfires (DR-4759)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4593)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides (DR-4309)
- 2016 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4249)
- 2009 – Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow (DR-1825)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Cheney?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Cheney property.
Water damage restoration in Cheney: frozen pipes and ice dams
With temperatures that have reached 35 below, frozen plumbing is the most predictable winter loss. Pipes in exterior walls, unheated garages and crawlspaces are vulnerable, as are rental units left with the heat turned low over breaks. Heavy snow on roofs can form ice dams that force meltwater under shingles and into ceilings.
For water damage restoration in Cheney, a typical contractor shuts off and documents the source, extracts water, measures moisture in framing and floors, and dries with dehumidifiers and air movers. Rebuilding follows as water damage repair. Our burst pipe water damage page has more.
Snowmelt, runoff and storm damage cleanup
Spokane County's 2016 and 2017 declarations included flooding, landslides and mudslides, often tied to rapid melt and rain on frozen ground. Basements and window wells can take on water when snowpack melts quickly, and windstorms can drop branches or peel roofing.
Meltwater that seeps in through a window well picks up soil and debris, so handle it as contaminated. Contractors commonly pump out water, remove soaked materials, clean and disinfect, and dry. Spring melt problems are covered under basement flood cleanup, and wind losses under storm damage cleanup.
Mold after leaks in a dry inland climate
The dry summers don't stop mold when water gets trapped. A pipe that burst in January and wasn't fully dried, an ice-dam leak in an attic, or a damp basement after snowmelt can all grow mold where air can't reach.
EPA guidance says homeowners can generally tackle mold under about 10 square feet once the leak is fixed. Larger areas, growth in walls or ducts, or mold after contaminated water should be handled by a professional with containment and HEPA filtration. See mold remediation.
Safety steps for Cheney homeowners and renters
- Call 911 for fire, smoke, gas odor, injuries or downed lines, and follow all evacuation orders during wildfires.
- During smoke events, keep windows closed and run HVAC on recirculate with a clean filter.
- Know where your water shutoff is before winter, and close it as soon as a pipe bursts.
- Document damage with photos before cleanup. Policy terms decide what's paid, so put questions to your agent or insurer. Renters should also notify their landlord promptly.
Other areas are on our Washington service area page.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Cheney):
- Spokane · 14 mi
- Spokane Valley · 20 mi
- Pullman · 55 mi
- Moses Lake · 83 mi
- Walla Walla · 105 mi
- Pasco · 112 mi
Cheney restoration FAQs
Was Cheney affected by the 2023 Gray Fire?
Yes. The Gray Fire started near Medical Lake on August 18, 2023, and parts of Cheney were evacuated along with Medical Lake. Portions of I-90 were closed, and the fire destroyed 265 structures.
How cold does it get, and what does that mean for my pipes?
The record low here is -35 degrees, and most of the roughly 42 inches of annual snow falls between November and February. Insulate exposed pipes, disconnect hoses in fall, and don't let the heat drop too low in an empty house or apartment over winter break.
Smoke got into my house during a wildfire. What should I clean first?
Start by replacing HVAC filters and ventilating once outdoor air is clean. Wash fabrics and wipe hard surfaces. If odor persists or you see soot, a smoke cleanup contractor can test and treat the home more thoroughly.
Is your company located in Spokane County?
Fire & Water Energy has no local office. Calling (866) 937-3230 lets us try to connect you with an independent contractor serving Cheney and the Spokane area, subject to availability.
Restoration guides
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Smoke Odor Removal
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation