Cloud cover helped firefighting personnel make progress against the raging Aspen Fire on Tuesday, though the blaze remained at the same containment percentage as Monday.
An update issued Tuesday morning by the U.S. Forest Service said 21,381 acres had been burned by the blaze about 75 miles northeast of Fresno which was sparked by a lightning strike on July 22.
For the last three weeks, the fire has grown both in size and cost as 1,673 personnel were still trying to combat the growing inferno Tuesday - at a price tag of $23.4 million — the update said.
Clouds brought humidity to the area over the fire during the early hours of Tuesday which helped firefighters suppress parts of the flames, the update read, however smoke accumulation increased as a result, particularly in the Huntington Lake area...