HOPE — The Cougar Fire has established itself on the east side of Lightning Creek, the U.S. Forest Service said on Monday.

“Fire has become established on the east side of Lightning Creek Road 419 and pushing upslope toward Rattle Ridge. Fire is backing downslope to road/containment line in Porcupine creek. Fire is also moving towards Wellington Creek to the northeast,” the Forest Service said in a post the incident management website InciWeb.

The fire has also grown to 3,600 acres.

“The fire is under burning across the ground both backing and flanking,” the Forest Service said.

The fire is located south of Jost Creek and north of Porcupine Lake, approximately five miles wast of Hope. It’s burning in steep, rugged terrain.

The fire began from a lightning strike on July 27. Smoke jumpers were dispatched the following day. However, they disengaged because of safety concerns with falling trees and steep terrain.

Fire managers are suppressing the fire using the confine and contain tactics. Fuel breaks are being built.

Fire fighting resources are very limited due to fires in the elsewhere in the West and steep rugged terrain is limiting direct suppression, according to the Forest Service.

Active fire behavior includes uphill runs, group torching and spotting. Fire spotted across Lightning Creek Road and made an upslope run on south aspect. The main fire is still burning primarily log to log, according to a post to InciWeb.

Planned actions include taking necessary holding actions as fire approaches Lightning Creek Road and establishing a fuel break along Porcupine Creek.

Road and trail closures remain in effect.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.