Spokane County Superior Court, District Court, and Municipal Court have postponed nearly all civil and criminal matters originally scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, following an emergency directive issued Sunday as the Spokane Complex fire advanced into residential areas of Washington’s second-largest city.

Emergency Order 2026-01, effective immediately upon signing Sunday, was jointly adopted by Presiding Judge Tony Hazel of the Superior Court, Presiding Judge Jeffrey R. Smith of the District Court, and Presiding Judge Kristin O’Sullivan of the Municipal Court.

Judicial leadership will reassess operational needs by 8 a.m. Tuesday and issue updated directives if conditions warrant.

All jury trials at the three courts remain suspended through at least August 10. Jurors summoned for service beginning August 3 have been released, and no criminal jury proceedings will commence until that date. Civil jury trials, too, are on hold through August 10 or later.

The state Administrative Office of the Courts confirmed Sunday that individuals summoned for jury service between August 3 and August 7 are exempt from reporting.

The order explicitly releases jurors called for August 3, and those uncertain about their status are encouraged to contact the court that issued their summons.

Delay计入 trial timelines

The courts acting on their own initiative determined that wildfire-related risks constitute sufficient cause to extend criminal jury calendars, satisfying the “unavoidable circumstance” standard under Criminal Rule 3.3(e)(8) for Superior Courts and Criminal Rule 3.3(e)(8) for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction.

Accordingly, the interval between Sunday’s order and the restart of trials will not count against statutory deadlines for bringing cases to trial.

Continuity of essential proceedings

In-custody initial appearances—including those for juveniles—and Involuntary Treatment Act hearings will proceed as scheduled in Superior Court.

Ex parte motions deemed urgent are also eligible for hearing. The order specifically designates civil protection orders and in forma pauperis filings—requests allowing individuals to proceed without standard filing fees—as covered under the emergency provision.

Legal foundation and supporting context

The directive draws authority from General Rule 21, which empowers courts to suspend operations when environmental or human-made hazards jeopardize the safety of court personnel, participants, and the public.

Officials stated the measures aim to safeguard jurors, defendants, plaintiffs, legal representatives, and staff, while maintaining core judicial functions.

The order references the broader regional emergency context, including Governor Bob Ferguson’s statewide wildfire and burn ban, enacted Saturday, as well as emergency proclamations issued by Spokane County Commissioners and Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.

Records indicate tens of thousands of residents have been displaced or evacuated, approximately 700 structures destroyed, and up to 40,000 county customers without electricity.

As of Sunday, the Spokane Complex—which amalgamates the Old Trails, Fairview, and Autumn Lane fires—had consumed more than 5,300 acres with zero containment, per the federal incident management team overseeing the incident.

An assessment released by the state Emergency Operations Center on Sunday morning estimated that approximately 700 structures had been lost to fire, while evacuation orders impacted over 65,000 residents. These figures were compiled from reports filed on Sunday, and officials noted that the situation remains fluid.

Contacting the courts

Individuals with pending cases, scheduled hearings, or jury summons in Spokane may reach Spokane County Superior Court Administration at 509-477-5790, Spokane County District Court Operations at 509-477-4770, or Spokane Municipal Court Operations at 509-625-4400.

Court officials advised the public to monitor the Spokane County and Spokane Municipal Court websites for further announcements, noting that the current order could be modified or extended depending on changing conditions.

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