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CONDON- Firefighters are working to expand their containment lines around the Condon Mountain Fire, trying to get the upper hand on the lightning-caused blaze that continues to burn above the Swan Valley.

The fire was started by a thunderstorm in late July and has now burned over 1700 acres and is just over 30% contained.

Fire managers are continuing their work today in the Dog and Condon Creek drainages, trying to work in rough country while stopping rolling debris from spreading the fire downhill and putting crews at risk. The U.S. Forest Service is continuing to use helicopters to drop water on hot spots.

A thunderstorm rolled through the valley Tuesday afternoon and left some light rain. But there was also a new lightning strike higher on the ridge south of the fire that crews were able to extinguish.

Condon area residents expressed concerns about the smoke being generated by the fire at a community meeting last night, and fire managers agreed to set up a monitoring station to monitor air conditions.

To access the data, please navigate to www.satguard.com/usfs and click the Condon area on the map that appears.