Crews are still on the firelines

BLUE RIVER: Over 650 firefighters are using firelines to control the spread of the 3,000-acre Ore Fire. On Tuesday, the fire was 25 percent contained.

Despite a little over 3/4 of an inch of rainfall recorded at the Cougar Dam weather station last week, officials say pockets of heat from dense fuels remain within the fire interior and increased fire behavior will be possible as skies clear, temperatures rise, and humidities drop, causing fuels to begin to dry.

A slow warming/drying trend is expected to bring gusty conditions mid-week, along with above-average temperatures and low humidities by the end of this week. Firefighters are making access where safely possible, continuing containment line improvements and contingency work.

Workers have continued to patrol and secure hand lines, mop up, and secure containment lines where possible. Other activities include continuing fuel break improvements, chipping, and masticating (cutting, chopping, and grinding vegetation).

In addition, Unmanned Aerial System (drone) flights with infrared detection capabilities have continued to confirm fires have not crossed any containment lines, while helicopters continue to make bucket water drops.