Tuesday Slinkard Fire Update: 74 percent contained, more than 9,000 acres burned
Firefighters battling the Slinkard Fire that started by lightning a week ago west of Topaz have reached 74 percent containment as of Tuesday morning, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The fire has burned 9,093 acres.
Highway 395 is open with periodic closures. Highway 89 over Monitor Pass remains closed due to fire activity. There are 322 personnel remaining on the fire representing 8 crews, 4 helicopters, 24 engines, 2 dozers and 7 water tenders.
Low pressure off the coast will bring increasing moisture with thunderstorms in the area Tuesday and Wednesday. Storms will move up from the southeast. The chances of rain will increase and some local rain may occur as well as lightning strikes outside the fire area, causing a threat of new fires, according to the BLM. Wetter storms are expected Wednesday.
Overnight Monday the fire was monitored with minimal fire activity noted in the interior of the fire. Crews will continue to construct and improve containment lines and mop-up areas to the north and west portions of the fire.
Fire crews will continue to monitor hotspots and flareups.
Southern California Incident Management Team 3 will transfer command to a type 4 team on Thursday, according to the BLM.