A steady rain much of Tuesday helped firefighters make continued progress against the Pagami Creek fire in the Superior National Forest.
About a half-inch of rain fell Tuesday in Ely, according to National Weather Service data, and firefighters continued to expand their control of the fire's outer edge.
Through Tuesday, about 30 percent of the fire was considered contained.
More than 700 people, several aircraft and heavy equipment continued to battle the blaze officials says is just 94,000 acres in size. The fire, which started with a lightning strike Aug. 18, has grown very little since Sept. 12. Home and cabin owners have been allowed to return, although some roads north of Minnesota Highway 1 and Lake County Highway 7 remain closed.
Most Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points are open, except for those that lead into the fire area.
