Firefighters battling the Frye Fire on the north side of Mount Graham worked Saturday and through the night to improve 15 miles of control lines to protect Mount Graham International Observatory, the cabins at Old Columbine and an area bible camp.
The fire had expanded to approximately 6,300 acres with 16 percent containment as of 8 a.m. Sunday, with the blaze reaching Ash Creek Falls, northeast of the Old Columbine cabins, according to an update from the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire continues to burn in Ash Creek, Hawk Hollow, Frye Mesa, Frye Canyon and Deadman Canyon, according to the update.
An area closure is in effect, including all roadways, campgrounds and trail systems north of Shannon Campground at the Highway 366 and Forest Road 507 junction.
More than 300 fire personnel have been assigned to contain the Frye Fire, with 11 engines, six helicopters, four water tenders, and nine crews.
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The increased fire activity is due primarily to the low relative humidity and extreme high temperatures, the update said.
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