For the first time in three weeks, containment levels on the Labor Mountain Fire have inched upwards.

The blaze, which was sparked by a lightning strike within the Cle Elum Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest about 13 miles northwest of Cle Elum on Sept. 1, had been listed at 7% containment since Sept. 17 but is now listed at 10% contained as of Tuesday (Oct. 7).

Officials say the fire is still just shy of 40,000 acres at 39,753 acres, with minimal growth reported on Monday, despite its crossing of an established fire line on the west side of Tronsen Ridge.

Although some water drops were conducted throughout the fire zone to start the week, helicopters flew fewer missions than in previous days due to an inversion layer which kept a large amount of smoke near ground

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