Labor Mountain Fire steady but active as crews await rain or snow

The Labor Mountain Fire has burned 39,324 acres since igniting on September 1 and is currently only 10 percent contained. National Weather Service Incident Meteorologist Steve Bodnar emphasized the rarity of two large fires occurring in October and linked their growth to notably dry conditions in the region. Precipitation levels have significantly lagged behind normal averages, with 5 inches less than expected this year. Fire Behavior Analyst Nolan Brewer explained that the fire remains active due to the consumption of dry "dead and down" fuels on steep terrain. Emergency management has confirmed that evacuation levels will remain unchanged for the next few days, with certain areas still at Level 3.

Firefighting resources are fully deployed, including 43 hand crews and multiple helicopters. Community members are advised to monitor evacuation updates and air quality conditions via local resources. Officials continue to hope for rain or snow to aid in controlling the fire's spread.