WALLACE — Recent weather changes have helped firefighters make progress on the 800-acre Dudley Fire. 

Although the fire has continued to grow, crews with the North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team have increased containment to 79%. Firefighters are reinforcing containment lines along Beaver Creek Road, removing hazard trees near roadways and continuing mop-up operations in secure areas of the fire. 

The fire is located 5 miles north of Wallace, just west of Dobson Pass. 

U.S. Forest Service Public Information Officer Michael Martin has provided daily updates on the fire. On Thursday, Martin reported that the number of personnel assigned to the incident had dropped from more than 200 to 163, including hand crews, engines, water tenders and other heavy equipment. 

Lightning sparked the fire Aug. 26. As it grew, local officials closed Dobson Pass Road and placed surrounding areas, including the Blackcloud community, under READY evacuation status. 

Earlier this week, officials lifted the READY status. However, Dobson Pass Road remains closed from Delta to the Nine-Mile Junction. 

Martin said firefighters completed strategic burnouts ahead of recent rainfall and successfully held the fire at Cedar Creek Road. Crews continue strengthening and securing containment lines around the fire perimeter while extinguishing hotspots and increasing the depth of firelines. 

A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over the fire area, including for drones. 

Last weekend, a drone reported over the fire area temporarily grounded firefighting aircraft, interrupting aerial suppression operations during a critical phase of the response. 

The incident prompted the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office to remind the public that operating drones in restricted airspace is illegal and can result in civil and criminal penalties enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect in Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties until further notice. 

The Forest Service will continue providing daily updates through its social media channels and websites. The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office will also continue to monitor the fire and provide updates as conditions change. 

Residents seeking the latest information can contact the U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Information Hotline at 208-557-8813.