Containment of the Miriam Fire near White Pass progressed Wednesday to 58 percent, up from 40 percent earlier this week.
The north and east side of the fire line were in patrol and mop-up status Wednesday, with 255 firefighters on scene. The nearby Clear Fork Fire was at 65 acres Wednesday, continuing its slow, gradual growth.
With the addition of gusty winds later Wednesday, however, crews were preparing for increased fire behavior in the areas of Hell and Miriam creeks and the south end of the fire that would produce visible smoke.
The cost of fighting the Miriam Fire was $12.1 million as of Wednesday morning, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.
The lightning-sparked fire was detected July 30 and has burned 4,339 acres in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.