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DARBY- The Chrandal Creek fire continues to burn in the Bitterroot Forest near Painted Rocks Lake, but thanks to cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity, there's been minimal fire growth.

The blaze remains at around 1,700 acres and crews hoped for half an inch of rain Friday, but received less than a tenth of an inch, so the fire has potential to grow once again.

The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain and areas of Mountain Pine Beetle infestations - making it slow going for fire crews in the area.

Three helicopters have been assigned to support the crews on the ground, but the fire is still being assessed on how best to suppress it.

"We're looking for opportunities to attack the fire and when those opportunities present themselves we're doing that, but from a traditional build-a-line around a fire aspect it's going to be slow and hard going for the crews," Gregg DeNitto with the U.S. Forest Service.

Operations will continue with structure protection in the Hughes Creek area and evaluating a safe direct attack on the fire.