Fatal Eastern Washington wildfire reaches 75% containment

A fire that destroyed or damaged at least 15 homes and left one person dead in the Spokane Valley is now 75% contained.

According to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, crews are now primarily focused on mop-up and patrol at the 213-acre Upriver Fire.

Fire investigators believe the fire was human-caused.

Officials said people living in the area may continue to see smoke from isolated areas, but the fire is not likely to spread further.

Thick smoke fills the air at the Upriver River in the Spokane Valley, and the fire has spread to more than 200 acres. (Photo courtesy of the Spokane Valley Fire Department)

Authorities are advising residents returning home to watch out for post-fire hazards, such as potential hotspots and damaged infrastructure.

In the meantime, further north in Okanogan County, firefighters are beginning to make some progress on another fire that’s been burning for five days with no containment.

2 fires merge in Eastern WA

According to KHQ-TV, the 12,000-acre Kartar Fire broke out Tuesday, about 13 miles southeast of Omak Lake, on the Colville Indian Reservation.

After burning for two days, the fire merged with another fire on Thursday, the Omak Lake Fire, which had ignited nearby.

Nearly 300 personnel are assigned to that fire.

Helicopters drop water on a fire that has destroyed several homes and resulted in one death in the Spokane Valley. (Photo: Spokane Valley Fire Dept.)

They are working with planes and helicopters as they drop water and fire retardant.

The fire has forced the closure of several roads and the evacuation of dozens of homes under a Level 3 evacuation notice.

So far, it has not damaged or destroyed any homes.

Approximately 15 miles southwest of the Omak Lake fire, evacuations were ordered at a third fire, near the town of Brewster, along the Columbia River.

That fire, in southern Okanogan County, forced dozens of families to evacuate Saturday morning.

Officials with Okanogan County Emergency Management say the North Star Fire was first reported at around 8:00 a.m. and quickly spread in gusty winds.

After just a few hours, it had grown to more than 100 acres, prompting authorities to issue Level 2 and 3 evacuation notices for residents on King Rock, North Star, and Paradise Roads.

Several roads also had to be closed.

By late afternoon, crews had stopped the fire’s progress, keeping it at 200 acres.

Evacuation notices were lowered to Level 1 Fire Advisories.

By Sunday morning, firefighters had the Brewster fire contained and were working to extinguish hot spots and shore up containment lines.