Upriver Fire Evacuations Ease in Spokane Valley as Containment Grows

Evacuation levels for the Upriver Fire near Spokane Valley were downgraded to Level 2 in several neighborhoods as containment improved, though Level 3 remains in effect closest to the fire line; Level 2 residents can return but must be ready to leave again. The fire has grown to hundreds of acres with reported losses of about 15 homes, prompted evacuations of roughly 1,500 residents, and drawn hundreds of responders; emergency shelters remain open at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church and Millwood Community Presbyterian Church as crews continue containment.