Firefighters lost a bit of ground Monday in the battle to extinguish a massive wildfire that began Saturday on the Blue Mountain in Lehigh Gap.

On Monday morning Pennsylvania Department of Conservation officials said the fire was 28% contained. Monday evening DEP reported the fire is 25% contained. The agency reported 124 firefighters were on duty.

“Today’s fire activity posed some challenges to on-site resources,” said Jeremy Hamilton, incident commander on Monday night.

Public Information Officer Bob Kurilla said, “About 12 p.m., the wind came from the south and pushed the fire to the top of the mountain.”

However, “It did not cross the road that is on top of the Appalachian Trail to the Palmerton side. Helicopters were able to knock it down.”

Fire crews have finished with laying a line around the perimeter of the fire by digging a ditch down to bare soil.

“All personnel on the top along the Appalachian Trail were able to hold the forward spread from crossing the ridge to the north. Along with this, crews also were able to currently halt spread toward the east above Timberline Road,” Hamilton said. Houses are located on Timberline Road in Lehigh Township.

“There will still be many days of hard work securing the perimeter and extinguishing hot spots,” he added.

The fire department posted, “We hope to share some good news (Tuesday) and further updates.”

In the last three days, residents in surrounding towns have had ash cover their cars. Smoke can be seen from Route 209 in Towamensing and other areas throughout Carbon County.

A haze has settled over Palmerton and the smell of smoke permeates the air. The Air Quality Index is listed as moderate, but people with health issues are recommended to limit their time outside.

Officials are also asking people to stay away from the area for safety and to allow firefighters to work. They’ve asked people not to stop on the highway to take pictures.

The Appalachian trail is closed from Lehigh Gap to Little Gap.

“Due to the risk of the general public, we would ask the residents and recreationalists to avoid the fire area as it is still receiving diligent work, and poses risk with hot spots and falling trees,” Hamilton said.

While the threat to Timberline residents has been reduced, “People will still see glowing trees and pockets of interior activity. Smoke will still be present for the foreseeable future. Personnel shall remain on-site working and monitoring conditions,” Hamilton posted Monday night.

People are also asked to hold off with donations of food and supplies.

On Facebook Monday the department requested beanies and headlamps, which was quickly filled.

As needs arise, the department will post an announcement.

For now, funds are needed to help fuel the equipment and make purchases.

Lehigh Township Chief Rick Hildebrand said that Federal Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency came to show their support. Hildebrand and Scott Rehrig were in charge of the Mobile Command Center out of Northampton County. The quiet meeting area has maps of the fire scene and exterior cameras, both standard and infrared.

It is equipped with a Radio Bank, with radios capable to communicate to surrounding counties.

The Communication Center can run eight days straight on a full tank of diesel fuel.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy volunteer Beth Ritter-Guth said she regularly maintains that section of the trail.

“I clean up garbage (mostly beer bottles and micro trash), break up campfire rings that aren’t sanctioned, and report large blowdowns if any exist.”

After the fire is extinguished and she has the clearance from the National Park Service,” she said she will go up to see the damage.

“Everyone hates this part of the “Rocksylvania” trail, but I love it. I moved to Palmerton specifically to live by it, hike it, sleep on it, care for it, and care for the people who hike it,” Ritter-Guth said.

“Watching it burn feels entirely helpless. Knowing that good humans are doing what they can to put it out and risking their own lives to do it breaks my heart.”

The fire broke out early Saturday afternoon. More than 200 firefighters were on scene throughout the weekend. DCNR has been handling the overnight shifts and Sunday night began back burning, setting up a perimeter to stop the spread of the wildfire.

Ritter-Guth added, “Knowing that our first responders are risking their lives in such dangerous conditions is terrifying. I hike that section four times a year (at least), and I can’t imagine carrying all that gear and having to wear all that gear. My heart is really with those firefighters and the fire police maintaining the access points.”