On September 7, 2020, the Babb Road Fire tragically destroyed 80% of the town. Fortunately no lives were lost in the wind-swept inferno and everyone was evacuated safely with only seconds to spare. The Town of Malden has started a new chapter, thanks to the diligent efforts of many to recover and rebuild.
Our accomplishments since September 8, 2020 include:
~ Establishment of a nonprofit long-term recovery organization to assist Malden and Pine City and their residents with recovery and restoration efforts
~ Damaged trees cut and cleared by Team Rubicon volunteers
~ Critical Areas ordinance and development regulations updated
~ $3.7 million (approximately) in grants from the state Public Works Board for water system improvements, including adding a second well and running additional water lines to provide added water service and fire protection
~ $400,000 in donations toward the building of a community center
~ Establishment of a temporary town hall, library, and food pantry
~ State-funded property clean-up and removal of old tires (fire debris has been removed from most sites throughout town)
~ Development of new comprehensive plan for Malden
~ Installation of temporary public showers
~ Official approval of re-establishment of the Malden post office (housed in the planned new municipal building)
~ Pepsi vending machine installed!
~ Two pickups donated for use by town personnel
~ Many volunteers generously donating their time to help with clean-up and beautification efforts
~ Donated financial support to pay for Disaster Case Managers
~ John Wayne trail riders came back in 2021!
~ 8 new volunteer-built homes constructed
~ Christmas shopping spree for the children of Malden and Pine City at the General Store in Spokane!
~ Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by various departments around the state and Department of Natural Resources
~ Successful Pine Creek/Malden Easter Egg Hunt in 2021!
~ Malden became part of the Whitman County Mitigation Plan, which makes the town eligible to apply for future projects that can enhance fire prevention and other disaster mitigation
~ FEMA disaster declaration granted on February 4, 2021 (public assistance)
~ Brush and pumper fire trucks donated
~ State-funded planning grants for block corners survey to aid in rebuilding residences, water, and sewer systems
~ A grant of $50,000 toward rebuilding the town park
~ Establishment of Malden as a trailhead on the Palouse to Cascades Trail State Park
~ Collaborations with the Port of Whitman and Ziply to install high-speed broadband to residents of Pine City and Malden (work expected to start by late October and be completed by early Spring 2022)
~ High speed internet has been installed at the church
~ Debris in the town’s rights-of-way has been cleared
~ A grant of $900,000 has been awarded by the state to build a permanent fire station
~ A grant of $30,000 has been awarded by the state for a master park plan for the town park
~ Temporary fire station completed
And the list will continue to grow!
Malden, Wa 