SPOKANE, Wash – Firefighters battling the Upriver Fire report improvements overnight around the perimeter of the fire and structures. The focus for crews over the last 24 hours has been on suppression and mop-up.
The Upriver Fire is 217 acres as of Thursday morning, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Officials believe the fire’s size may have been overestimated initially, which accounts for why the containment percentage — currently at 10% — has not changed dramatically. Crews did not need to deploy aircraft Wednesday, a sign that improved weather conditions aided suppression efforts on the ground.
Connor Nikkola, Northeast Region Natural Areas Manager for the DNR, said the combination of warming temperatures and long shifts is challenging.
“It is starting to get warmer, dryer temperatures, and crews are out there working for a long period of time. A lot of these shifts are 12 to 16 hours, so fatigue starts to set in the last days of the assignment. But they are out there, making sure the community is safe while working hard,” Nikkola said.
Overnight, firefighters reported no active fire, aided by improved humidity levels and successful work along the containment lines. Thursday’s conditions are expected to be warm and dry, with crews prioritizing structure protection around homes and other properties at risk. Firefighters are also working to extinguish hidden embers along dozer and handline perimeters.
Updated evacuation levels took effect at 9 p.m. on June 17. Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations remain in place in areas closest to the fire perimeter.
Evacuation orders have been lowered to Level 2 “Be Set” in the area between Bigelow to the north, Gunning and Columbia to the south, Argonne to the east and Thierman to the west.
An evacuation center is open at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 115 N. Raymond Ave., Spokane Valley.
Fire officials and information officers will host three days of public information sessions at Pasadena Park Church of the Nazarene, 8822 E. Upriver Drive, Spokane Valley:
Thursday, June 18: 4–7 p.m.Friday, June 19: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.Saturday, June 20: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Topics will include fire updates, recovery and disaster assistance, and other community resources. The events are open to all.
For the latest on evacuation levels, visit spokane911.com.
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