Firefighters have made significant progress on the Grade Fire in the Cleveland National Forest, increasing containment to 80% and holding the blaze at 689 acres, authorities said Monday. With constructive containment lines established, the fire was holding steady within its current perimeter, and due to the decreased threat, Cal Fire and Cleveland National Forest officials began releasing resources from the scene, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The wildfire ignited around 1:30 p.m. Friday near East Grade Road, initially prompting evacuations for backcountry neighborhoods in Santa Ysabel. All evacuation orders were lifted Friday night, and no injuries or structural damage were reported, Cal Fire said. Despite extreme weekend temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, ground crews made significant progress securing the perimeter and extinguishing hidden hot spots. Cal Fire officials attributed the jump in containment to the hard work of firefighters on the ground. The blaze primarily burned through medium fuels, dry brush, and rocky terrain, moving in an east-northeast direction. Crews will continue to monitor the burn area into the evening, reinforcing containment lines with an ongoing focus on firefighter safety, officials said. East Grade Road at State Route 76 remained closed to traffic. The official cause of the fire remains under investigation. While the Cleveland National Forest is not under active fire restrictions, authorities urged the public to exercise extreme caution to prevent new sparks as resources remain stretched across California and the Pacific region. Officials reminded visitors to ensure campfires are out and cold to the touch, verify motorized equipment has functioning spark arresters, and avoid parking vehicles on dry grass. ...read more read less