UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: According to a US Forest Service spokesperson, “[T]he fire did grow a bit overnight and after GPSing it today, the acreage now stands at 9.15 acres. It is still primarily an air show with three helicopters working the fire, although the Mendocino and Tahoe Hot Shots are there as well.”

US Forest Service press release:

The Slide Fire, on the Orleans Ranger District of the Six Rivers National Forest, is 6½ acres in size as of 9:30 this morning and 90 percent contained. This lightning-caused fire, burning four to five miles southeast of Orleans and one-half mile southwest of the Orleans lookout, was reported early yesterday morning.

The fire is burning in heavy timber in the Boise Creek drainage. Aerial resources were successful yesterday afternoon “boxing-in” the fire with water and retardant to slow the fire’s progress. To maintain the fire’s slow growth, two crews were on the fire last night. According to those on site, the lines held throughout the night, although there is still a lot of heat in the fire’s interior.

Challenges to fire crews include difficult access, steep terrain and burning materials rolling downhill that could ignite areas outside the fireline. Today, one fire crew will be on the fire with assistance from two helicopters with helitack crews that will begin flying once the heavy smoke dissipates. Two additional crews are enroute to the fire.

The following resources are either on-site or have been ordered:

Helicopters: 2

Crews: 5

Today’s forecast weather over the fire area is for temperatures between 70 and 74°F with relative humidity between 29 and 36 percent with light upslope winds. For tonight, temperatures are expected to be 54 to 58°F with relative humidity at 60 to 67 percent.

“Right now, the weather is really in our favor,” said Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor Merv George. “We need to use it to our advantage to keep this fire small.”