Evacuation levels lowered for wildfire near Wellpinit

Evacuation levels were lowered Sunday morning for the Cayuse Mountain wildfire 8 miles south of Wellpinit on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

Areas classified as Evacuation Level 3 were lowered to Level 2, and areas that were at Level 2 were lowered to Level 1. Level 1 means be ready to evacuate and Level 2 means be set to leave at a moment’s notice.

Schools in Wellpinit were set to open Monday as scheduled, and the Spokane Tribal Pow Wow will take place as planned over Labor Day weekend, officials said.

The fire began Aug. 21 and has burned 18,417 acres, 14 homes and nine other structures. The fire’s perimeter was 65 percent contained as of Sunday, and full containment is expected Wednesday. About 470 people are working on the fire.