“Short of weather,” nothing will stop Organ fire from growing, B.L.M spokesman says

The Organ Fire grew from 2,800 acres to 4,300 acres in size from Wednesday to Thursday, a spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management told ABC-7.

“The weather is really going to be the factor that stops the growth in the fire,” said Rico Smith, the fire public information officer for the BLM.

Containment is at 15 percent Thursday, up from 10 percent on Wednesday. The fire is currently “working its way” up Mineral Hill, which has mahogany and juniper.

“It’s got some fuel,” Smith said. “It is good that it’s moving from the south to the north (away from the highway).”

The fire started Sunday night when a flaming vehicle pulled over to the side of U.S. 70 and ignited some dry brush close to the highway.

Given the rocky and steep terrain of the area, “there is no safe way to put firefighters on the ground,” Smith said. However, firefighters continue to work diligently on “burn out” operations in attempts to contain the fire.

Twenty-five personnel from four engines are currently responding day and night, establishing a fire line in triple digit heat.

“They’re out there on the ground,” Smith said.

There is a helicopter crew manned by seven people that might be able to do some air drops on the fire. The highway is still open, however, there will likely be hazy conditions for a while, until rain can extinguish the fire, Smith said.

“Short of weather, there’s nothing that’s going to stop that fire from continuing to move and grow,” Smith said.

However, Smith added later that crews will persevere to contain the fire until it has completely burned out.

“We will not rely on rain,” Smith said. “(It) eventually will get contained.”