A brush fire that broke out Sunday morning atop the Blue Mountain, smack in the middle of Lehigh and Carbon counties, was about 80 percent contained as of 9 a.m. Monday.

Greg Reese, Wildland Fire Specialist supervisor for the William Penn Forest District, said the incident was dispatched at 11 a.m. as a brush fire on top of the Appalachian Trail.

Reese said the fire started on top of the mountain, and added that while the acreage had not officially been mapped as of yet, it’s estimated between 80 to 120 acres burned.

Reese said there is no imminent threat to the public, and noted the fire is still under investigation.

“The fire stayed in its footprint overnight, and did not leave the footprint from yesterday,” Reese said.

Reese said the National Park Service was present at the fire assisting with fire suppression, and was putting up trail closure signs for the Appalachian Trail.

He said also assisting at the scene were various fire departments from Carbon and Lehigh counties, along with assistance from Weiser State Forest.

“The cooperation between (the) two districts has been tremendous, and extremely helpful,” Reese said.

Back on Nov. 2, 2024, a weeklong wildfire erupted on the Blue Mountain near the Appalachian Trail and Route 248.

The wildfire, which initially started in Lehigh Township, rapidly spread due to dry weather conditions and strong winds, threatening local wildlife habitats, infrastructure and natural resources.

The wildfire was one of the worst ever in the region, as it burned over 500 acres.