Highway 37 fire 80 percent contained

The Highway 37 fire remained at 70 acres while containment increased from 60 percent on Monday to 80 percent Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service reported.

“No new fire growth was reported [Wednesday] ... Interior creeping through the heavy duff continues throughout the fire area,” states an incident report.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is no longer controlling traffic near the fire, which was reported about 4 p.m. July 19 and started on the north side of Highway 37 near mile marker 4.

Officials say the fire was caused by “discarded smoking material” and is still under investigation.