Rain helps firefighters battle blaze north of Cle Elum

The cooler weather and rains over the past few days have helped firefighters battle the 37,000 acre blaze north of Cle Elum.

The Jolly Mountain Fire is now 40-percent contained and has been transferred Monday to a local Type 3 team led by Incident Commander Tom Roach.

Fire information officer Brian Lawatch credits an effective fire management plan and burnout operations that have significantly reduced the threat to the community. Mop up and repair or rehabilitation of the land is underway as well.

Residences in the Salmon La Sac HOA area, Paris Creek area and Boulder Creek area on Forest Service Road 4330 (Fish Lake Road) will remain at a Level 3 notice but Lawatch says those restrictions could be lifted soon.

The fire was started by lightening Aug. 11th.