A fire that has closed canyons and campgrounds for about a week in the Stansbury Mountains is still burning, and fire officials estimate full containment won’t be for at least two weeks.

The Little Bald Mountain fire, which was sparked by lightning July 31, has charred 558 acres and is approximately 80 percent contained, according to Don Carpenter, public information officer for the Incident Management Team Wilde, which is commanded by Mike Wilde.

Officials cite the steep, rugged and hard-to-access terrain on the west flank of the fire as the reason full containment is estimated at 15 to 20 days away. Carpenter said the fire is also not likely to spread because rock cliffs will prevent it moving to the north, west and south.

The blaze was managed by the U.S. Forest Service, as well as other agencies, from the time it started until Tuesday, when a team made up of volunteers from all over the Great Basin was brought in. The team is trained not only in firefighting techniques, but other disasters relief techniques as well, according to Carpenter.

Management of the fire will transfer back to the local unit and the U.S. Forest Service unit tomorrow evening.

Carpenter said the focus Wednesday was on strengthening fire lines, putting out hot spots and cold trailing — checking areas by hand to ensure there’s no remaining heat or smoldering embers there.

He added the emphasis for the next couple of days will be much of the same, including securing the perimeter and mopping up.

“We make sure there is no smoke and heat, so when we do leave there’s very little chance it would flare up and burn,” Carpenter said.

He added even after firefighting resources leave, there will be people monitoring from the road and the air looking for smoke and flare-ups.

Yesterday’s cooler temperatures aided firefighters and enabled them to make good progress on the fire.

A total of 198 personnel are fighting the fire using two helicopters, five engines, and one water tender.

Box Elder Canyon, South Willow Canyon and North Willow Canyon remain closed, as well as the campgrounds in those areas. Carpenter said the fire has not burned into the campgrounds themselves.

The threat to residences at the mouth of South Willow Canyon has continued to remain minimal, according to Carpenter.

Sarah Miley: swest@tooeletranscript.com