ELGIN — The Jones Butte Fire is 20% contained as of 6 p.m. Friday, July 29, according to Union County Emergency Services.

The fire, which started July 27, is burning 2 miles northwest of Elgin has burned 111 acres, according to a press release.

Crews, engines and tenders worked overnight to strengthen the fireline and address spot fires outside of the main fire perimeter. Fuels along the northwestern edge of the fire flared up July 28 and helicopter support was engaged to cool those areas down. A drone is being used to assist in locating heat spots and mop-up efforts are underway.

Resources on the fire include six engines, three water tenders, two dozers, five hand crews and two division supervisors. Two engines remained at the fire overnight, while the remaining crews, tenders and other resources were released around 11 p.m. July 28. The Type 4 team is led by Incident Commander Travis Lowe.

The weather on July 29 is expected to be hot, dry and breezy with a predicted Haines Index of 5. The Haines Index is a numerical value that indicates the potential for large wildfires to experience extreme fire behavior. Out of an abundance of caution, fire officials are keeping the evacuation notices in place for Level 1 and Level 2 areas.

Evacuation notices remain in place as follows:

Level 2 – Be Set to evacuate:

• South side of Gordon Creek between Valley View Road and Middle Road;

• East side of Valley View Road South to 71357 Valley View Road;

• West side of Middle Road from Gordon Creek Road intersection to 71332 Middle Road.

Level 1 – Be Ready to evacuate:

• Valley View Road North of 70942 Valley View Road;

• Middle Road North of 70936 Middle Road;

• Gordon Creek Road from Palmer Junction to 73078 Gordon Creek Road;

• All of Darr Road.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.