A robust 560-acre wildfire that burst into flames Saturday afternoon on Bear Mountain in Jim Thorpe and Franklin and Mahoning townships is almost extinguished.

As of Thursday morning, the wildfire is 95% contained.

Sixty personnel are assigned to the incident, which is a decrease from 96 personnel on Wednesday. This includes Bureau of Forestry personnel, Bureau of Forestry support fire fighting crews, and multiple volunteer fire departments.

Thursday is the last shift that firefighters will be dedicated to this incident.

As of Friday, the Packerton fire incident will be placed into a patrol status and will be regularly checked by personnel from the Weiser State Forest District.

Larry Bickel, public information officer for the Packerton fire incident, said Thursday morning “things look really good.”

“We always look for 100% containment,” Bickel said. “That 5% is that east flank, we want to be darn sure that we have no issues there, and will continue to work that.”

When the fire first broke out, flames crept close to homes in Jim Thorpe and Long Run Road in Franklin Township. Volunteer firefighters were stationed near homes, putting out hot spots.

A local environmental group, Save Carbon County, warned the air quality was bad in Jim Thorpe on Monday.

“This is important for the public to be aware of, as according to the EPA, particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5), such as that created by brush fires, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream when inhaled. This can cause and contribute to adverse health effects,” the organization said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources worked with the Carbon County Emergency Agency, local volunteer fire departments, Pennsylvania Power and Light, Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad and Lehighton Water Company.

The origin of the fire remains to be determined.

On Monday, state fire crews used drones and back burning to battle the wildfire.

The D&L Trail is temporarily closed from mile marker 102 to 107 while hazard tree felling work is being completed by firefighters for long-term public safety of trail users. The trail will be opened as soon as this work is completed.

Bickel said today weather forecasters are calling for a high of 76 degrees, with light winds out of the west and the relative humidity around 32%.

“The spring fire season will continue for another couple of weeks until full green up vegetation occurs,” Bickel said. “The public is warned to be extremely careful when using burn barrels, burning debris and having campfires.”

Pay attention to forecasts and refrain from burning on red flag warning days.