Northrup Fire 65% contained

The Northrup Fire that started Thursday along highway 155 is now 65% contained after burning an estimated 252 acres, an update from the fire management team in charge said Saturday night.

An update from Incident Commander Leonard Johnson of the Southeast Washington Type

3 Interagency Incident Management Team 2, which assumed command of the fire at 8 p.m. July 23, said all areas previously at a Level 2 evacuation (get ready to leave) have been stepped down to a Level 1 (be aware), including the single home at the foot of Northrup Canyon whose residents were evacuated Thursday evening.

The area east of SR-155 from milepost 18 to Osborn Bay Campground are also on a Level 1 evacuation notice.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

SR-155 and Steamboat Rock State Park are re-opened.

On the fire Saturday were 112 personnel, one helicopter, two water tenders, 16 engines and two hand crews. Some local crews were reportedly back on the fire after a rest.

Local firefighters worked the fire from its start about 5:30 Thursday night into Friday morning.

Hand crews, fire engine crews and helicopter bucket drops improved containment lines along the southern and western borders of the fire.

Professional tree fallers have been brought in to take down hazardous snags.

The northeastern and eastern perimeters are in mop-up.

Unburned patches within the perimeter continued to burn throughout the day, producing some smoke.