Overnight, higher humidity levels helped decrease fire activity and that activity remained fairly low throughout the day Tuesday. The fire has primarily stayed within its footprint with no change in growth or containment: 33,834 acres - 5% contained. Crews have secured the north and northeast sides of the fire and today worked their way into SH Butte to make sure the line was anchored in. They will continue to cold trail that line over the next few days to check for any remaining heat. Along the southwest flank, crews continue their efforts to get containment line established to keep the fire from moving toward Francis Creek where many values at risk and infrastructure are located. Crews have that 5% containment on the west flank of the fire.
The Department of Forestry and Fire Management's UAS platform flew today to check for heat signatures along the perimeter and within the interior of the fire. There is some heat that still remains, especially along the east side toward SH Butte, but overall activity has significantly decreased. Along with hand crew work, the use of natural fire barriers, previous burn scars, and natural monsoon activity play a role in fire suppression efforts.
Today, additional logistical support arrived, including drivers. Drivers will take water, supplies, and other necessities out to the fire line. To get to some areas of the fire, drive times can take as long as 4 hours one way. Hotshot and hand crews are spiking out along the fire line and are being supported by those drivers and helicopters
that are dropping meals into their camps every day.
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