Highway 37 fire 60 percent contained

The Highway 37 fire remained mapped at 70 acres while containment increased from 40 percent to 60 percent following a Monday morning infrared flight that showed “minimum heat on the fire.”

“I believe things are going well [with the fire],” said U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Shawn Ray-Delmas.

She noted that while air resources are still nearby and available to drop water, they hadn’t been needed in a few days.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is no longer controlling traffic in the vicinity of 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.