PROVIDENCE – Foreclosure filings fell in Rhode Island during the third quarter even as they stayed on the rise nationwide, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac.

The Irvine, Calif.-based research firm said filings fell 6.3 percent from July through September compared with the previous quarter and 2.8 percent compared with a year earlier.

Nationwide, filings rose 5.4 percent in the July-September period compared with the previous quarter and increased 23 percent compared with a year earlier.

RealtyTrac said 1 in every 290 Rhode Island homes received a foreclosure notice during the third quarter, below the national average of 1 in every 136 homes.

California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois and Michigan accounted for 62 percent of the nation’s total foreclosure activity in the third quarter as a combined 579,541 properties received foreclosure filings in the six states, according to RealtyTrac.

RealtyTrac Inc. is a publisher of data and advice for real estate markets nationwide. To learn more, visit realtytrac.com.