ALBANY COUNTY — With the help of cooling temperatures and winter conditions approaching, fire crews have achieved 81 percent containment on the Mullen Fire.

The Mullen Fire is roughly 176,878 acres.  Fire personnel has decreased to approximately 385 firefighters and support staff.

Due to the better control over the fire, decreased fire activity, and fewer firefighters needed on scene, detailed daily updates will no longer be published by the Medicine Bow National Forest. SweetwaterNOW will continue to publish updates, but they will be less frequent.

Smoke from burning stumps and other heavy fuels within the fire was more visible Thursday, particularly along highway corridors.

Because of the current cooling trend, fire behavior is expected to decrease for the next few days.

Approximately one mile of chipping and brushing remains to be completed along Forest Road 225.

Firefighters continue monitoring, mopping-up, removing equipment and repairing damage.

A National Forest area closure remains in place for much of the southern Snowy Range. Travelers on open roads and highways are asked to stay on roadways and not enter the forest.

To stay updated on Mullen Fire activity, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7208/.