A mighty 560-acre wildfire that ignited Saturday afternoon on Bear Mountain in Jim Thorpe and Franklin and Mahoning townships is over halfway extinguished.

As of Wednesday morning, the wildfire is 66% contained.

Larry Bickel, public information officer for the Packerton fire incident, said Tuesday afternoon the wildfire was about 53% contained, and that there were about 150 personnel.

Bickel said Monday night a crew with two engines, an incident commander, night-shift incident commander and hand crew were patrolling and monitoring near the Silk Mill in Jim Thorpe.

“Over on the east side of the fire we had a log break loose and rolled down that mountain outside of our containment line, (so) we added acreage,” Bickel said.

The majority of firefighters were on the east side of the fire. With west winds, firefighters were trying to slow it down and they had helicopters do some bucket drops to slow the fire spread.

Wednesday’s plan was to assign firefighters to the eastern boundary of the fire in the Long Run Road area. Their efforts will be focused on “mopping up” the area that actively burned Tuesday so that it doesn’t flare up again.

Mopping up includes breaking up heavy fuels, such as, stumps and big logs that are still smoldering; as well as felling dead and hollow trees.

Firefighters will be felling hazard trees in the Lehigh Gorge adjacent to the D&L Rails Trail for long-term public safety of hikers using the trail in the future.

Firefighters are being assigned to both day and nighttime operations so that personnel are watching the fire continuously until it is fully contained.

The highest priority is protecting homes in the Long Run Road area on the eastern boundary of the fire.

Thanking firefighters

Congressman Ryan Mackenzie and Timm Berger, from state Rep. Doyle Heffley’s office, received an update Tuesday morning at the Mansion House Hill about ongoing efforts to fight the Packerton fire.

Mackenzie, representing Carbon County as part of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, visited firefighters and local emergency officials near the site of the Bear Mountain fire.

He began the day at the Carbon County Emergency Management Agency field site to meet with representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for an update on efforts to contain the fire.

Later, Mackenzie traveled to affected sites, met with firefighters, and donated supplies. At one stop, he met with firefighters who successfully stopped the fire within close proximity of local homes.

He commended all the first responders who are working around the clock to contain the fire and eliminate the threat to local homes.

“I join the people of Carbon County in thanking the hundreds of firefighters who are doing incredible work to contain the Bear Mountain fire,” Mackenzie said. “Thanks to their efforts, no local homes have been lost, and we pray that this remains the case.

“We also want to recognize the people of Carbon County for the tremendous outpouring of support that they have shown for the firefighters who have traveled from all over the state. The men and women on the ground are very grateful for your generosity.”

While the fire is mostly contained, Mackenzie and his office are actively monitoring the situation. Emergency officials continue to ask that local civilians pay attention to the news and refrain from operating any civilian drones in the area of the fire. Mackenzie is also asking local residents to support their local volunteer firefighters, no matter where they are.

“While this fire is impacting Carbon County, the next emergency could be in another part of the Lehigh Valley or the Poconos,” he said. “No matter the area, local volunteer fire companies are counting on their communities for support, whether that be non-perishables, monetary donations, or volunteerism. We’re grateful to all volunteer firefighters in our region for the work that they do to keep our communities safe.”

Looking ahead

Bickel said they have a “pretty good handle” on things, and credited the volunteer fire companies who he said have “really been a huge help. We’re kind of working with them.”

“Fires are all about fuels, terrain and winds,” he said. “The terrain is so steep that you can’t get in to put this fire out; the winds are our worst part of the fire.”

Bickel said the origin of the fire remains to be determined.

“Still under investigation,” he said. “We’re working hard on trying to find out.”

In the meantime, the message for the community is simple: Stay away from the fire.

Bickel said that on Monday, state fire crews used drones and back burning to battle the wildfire.

Carbon County EMA Director Zach Gilbert said homeowners will see smoke and fire, but they could be ensured crews working the operations.

The D&L Trail is closed from mile marker 107 to mile marker 102 near Jim Thorpe because of fire. The closure is just south of the Glen Onoko parking area.