FREDONIA — The Castle Fire’s acreage continues to hold at 16,538 for the third day in a row. Precipitation and increased humidity have affected fire behavior causing a temporary stall in the fire’s growth. With warm, dry days in the forecast, the fire may regain momentum and continue its path through remaining unburned fuels in the area of Lookout Canyon.

Over the past 28 days, since the fire started on July 12th, the number and type of firefighting resources assigned to the Type 3 Incident Management organization have increased or lessened, based on the level of fire activity. The transitions have been fluid and right-sized to meet daily and ultimately, the overall objectives of the Castle Fire.

The objectives are clearly stated in the daily Incident Action Plan that outlines the specific goals for each day’s work. Objectives for the Castle Fire are:

• Utilize deliberate risk management process to ensure that incident responders are only committed where, and when they can be successful, with the least exposure necessary.
• Allow fire to function as a natural disturbance process within the ecosystem to reduce accumulations of forest fuels that may exist in the area.
• Limit fire intensity to prevent adverse impacts to cultural and natural resources.
• Hold fire within the planning area.

With no new growth over the past few days, firefighters remain focused on fire-related work within the 19,632-acre planning area. The work includes mastication in Lookout Canyon, firing operations, aerial ignitions and pile burning of interior unburned fuels, fence and suppression repair, and clean up.

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/