Firefighters were standing ground Tuesday in the struggle to put out an immense fire that broke out Saturday on the Blue Mountain in Lehigh Gap.

As of Tuesday morning, the burned area came to 577 acres, which was 25 percent contained, said Bob Kurilla, Public Information Officer, Bureau of Forestry’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Incident Management Team.

“We do have hand lines, dozer lines and roads surrounding the fire, so today’s operation is trying to mop things up around the lines and getting as many snags (dead trees that catch and shoot some embers up),” said Kurilla, who added snag felling will be going on. “We still have two helicopters available to dump buckets of water if we need to use them.”

Kurilla added that they have the Bureau of Forestry, volunteer firefighters, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and as of Tuesday, some people from the Bureau of State Parks.

“So far, things are holding good, our lines held and we’re able to complete some firing operations to continue to secure our lines,” he said. “The big concerns are warmer and windier weather, and it’s certainly not getting any more moist anytime soon; we don’t have rain in the forecast until Sunday night (into) Monday morning the way it looks.”

Kurilla cautioned for the public to be very careful outside.

“Abide by all burn bans locally and county wide,” he said. “It’s not a good time to make a campfire outside.”

Kurilla added they are available to send some resources from this fire if needed to make an initial attack on any new starts in the immediate area, though they certainly hope they don’t get any new starts.

In Pennsylvania, 95 percent of all fires are caused by people.

“We really need a good soaking rain,” he said. “Until that gets here, it’s going to be like this every day.”

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

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

If needs arise, the department will post an announcement.

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

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.