Firefighters have made significant progress on Baker County’s largest current wildfire, as the Town Gulch Fire in the eastern part of the county 79% contained as of Thursday, Aug. 15.

“The fire is looking good with infrared mapping showing minimal heat, clustered on the northern end of the fire,” according to a Thursday morning update from the fire management team.

“Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire perimeter while also being available for initial attack should any new starts result from this afternoon’s forecasted thunderstorms. Suppression repair and the removal of water handling equipment will continue for the next several days.”

The fire was started by lightning on Aug. 5 near Town Gulch, along Eagle Creek several miles north of New Bridge.

On the afternoon and evening of Aug. 6, the fire made a major run, spreading several miles to the south along Eagle Creek nearly to New Bridge, and to the east, where it moved down the West Wall to near the edge of Pine Valley.

The fire has destroyed four structures.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Baker County for scattered thunderstorms, some of which might not have rain, and wind gusts up to 45 mph on Thursday afternoon.

The Baker County Sheriff’s Office could reduce the scale of evacuation levels later this week depending on the weather, said Ashley McClay, the sheriff’s office’s public information officer.