Fire crews battling the 2,900 acre Snow Hole Wildfire burning 12 miles southwest of Cottonwood in the Salmon River drainage have made considerable gains on the lightning-caused blaze. Fire Information Officer Jennifer Costich says progress has been so positive that fire managers are re-evaluating their strategic plan.

Fire Information Officer Jennifer Costich comments

The fire is still listed as 50% contained, but fire managers believe a higher, more accurate containment number is possible after a mapping update is finished later today or tonight. Officials attribute much of the progress made on the fire to the more than 500 personnel assigned to the blaze. Unlike last summer when several major fires were burning in the region, resources were stretched to razor thin levels.

This fire season has seen fewer big fires, and as a result more resources, including more Type-1 and Type-2 fire crews have been available.