I did not save the post, but an X social media idiot shared insane comments on the “Upriver Fire” in Spokane Valley, Washington occurring in June of 2026..

He blamed the fire on Democrats for allegedly cutting funding for fire departments, for Democrats prohibiting forestry practices to thin trees, and some how tied this into climate change as well.

He is full of shit and I don’t say that lightly.

I used to live there: as in a few hundred feet from homes that were destroyed. The home we lived in remains under mandatory evacuation orders 3 days later and was just a few homes away from homes that were destroyed. I used to hike those hills frequently. I was also, for a bit, a volunteer firefighter there.

The entire region from Beacon Hill to the east was subject to wildland fires every few years, started by careless human activity. The hillside is south facing – dry and hot – and covered with highly flammable ponderosa pine and other vegetarian.

Selective tree cutting had been done on many occasions. There were many open spaces along the entire hillside. This was not a dense forest situation – but a classic, inland NW, almost high desert-like dry forest that is prone to wild land fires – always has been and always will. With 30+ mph winds, a fire start would quickly explode, as it did.

The fire departments had a massive and fast response to the fire – contrary to the claim above. Over 300 firefighters were on scene within hours. Multiple heavy air tankers were on scene, two twin engine water bombers were on scene, multiple helicopter water droppers were on scene.

I have not lived there in 13 years – but it appears the homes of two people I knew back then were destroyed. I do not know if they still lived there, though. Friends, and people I knew, were interviewed on the local TV news coverage.

Every claim made on social media by the above person was false.