HOPE — Activity at the Cougar Fire picked up on Friday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Fire reached parts of the Porcupine all-terrain vehicle trail, although crews successfully held the fire at an established fire break. Those efforts continued on Saturday, Forest Service officials said.

Crews also extinguished a spot fire on Friday near Lightning Creek. They were slated to go on patrol on Saturday and suppress new spot fires to keep the fire west of Lightning Creek.

On the north side of the fire, which had grown to 1,420 acres as of Saturday, heavy equipment is being used to create a fuel break above Wellington Creek, along Road No. 489.

“Fire managers are assessing contingency needs if the fire grows to the west,” the Forest Service said in a fire update.

Red flag warnings remain in place and scattered thunderstorms are expected in this morning although no measurable precipitation is anticipated. Lightning and gust winds are also expected.

A cold front is expected to approach the area, which will bring cooler temperatures and lighter winds.

Shifting winds may cause ash from the fire to be more visible.

“Smoke from fires to the west will likely continue to hang over the Clark Fork valley but may lessen with the expected winds,” the update said.

Closures: The Forest Supervisor has closed the following roads and trails to provide for public and firefighter safety: Trails 444, 63, 114, 642, 2240, and 120 west of trail 63 and east of trail 444. The following roads are closed: 489 and 419 (Lightning Creek) north of road 1184 and south of Road 473.

Updated fire information: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6081/ and facebook.com/usfsipnf