DAYVILLE — Firefighters continued to extend containment lines on the Rail Ridge Fire, although the blaze did grow slightly and continued dry conditions pose a challenge, fire managers said in an update on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The wildfire burning just south of Dayville is an estimated 166,062 acres and is now 82% contained, with 912 personnel assigned to battle the blaze.

Monday’s weather gave a slight reprieve to firefighters in terms of fire behavior. Cooler temps and lighter winds gave crews on the ground an opportunity to use tactical burning operations in a defensive move to build a more robust “catcher’s mitt” in front of the fire on the south side of the Black Canyon Wilderness.

Tuesday’s critically dry weather may bring an uptick in fire behavior but is not anticipated to pose a threat to containment lines.

In the northwest corner of the fire where growth has increased in recent days, firefighting efforts have proven effective and containment lines have held for the past two shifts despite challenging winds and dry, hot weather.

In the other northern part of the fire, firefighters gained more containment Monday, while the work to locate and suppress hot spots is ongoing.

In the southern end of the fire, repairs are being made to roads and dozer lines and hazard trees are being felled anywhere that may pose a threat to firefighters or the public.

The concerning dry trend continues Tuesday, with relative humidity possibly dipping into the single digits. Temperatures will get into the 70s. Winds will be from the southwest but will be light and terrain-driven.

Level 1 and 2 evacuation zones for the Rail Ridge Fire remain in Grant County.

For current evacuation levels for all affected counties, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have implemented closures for the Rail Ridge Fire. For more details and closure maps, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

Acres: 166,062

Containment: 82%

Detection: 09/02/24

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 912