Fire crews are still working to extinguish a 40-acre fire that broke out in the hills above Mineral Friday afternoon.
The fire was 50 percent contained as of Monday afternoon, according to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Volunteer firefighters with Mineral Fire and EMS were the first on the scene and took the lead in fighting the fire, with help from fire crews from Lewis County Fire District 4, of Morton, until DNR could mobilize and take over Friday night.
“This is an amazing group of people who give of their free time to help and serve others in our community in times of need. Please support these hard-working men and women in our community,” the Mineral Firefighters’ Association posted to its Facebook page on July 10.
As of DNR’s arrival around 9 p.m. on Friday, crews estimated the fire had spread to roughly 30 acres.