As of Sunday morning, containment of the Schwachheim fire 14 miles southeast of Trinidad shrank to 50%, down from 63% on Saturday, and the burn area climbed to 1,582 acres, as firefighters steered flames toward consuming existing fuels on the north side.

An update from the Colorado Incident Management Team said despite a frost overnight Saturday, grasses dried quickly. However, “the area burned at a low insanity and low rate of spread that was easy for firefighters to control,” according to the team.

Efforts to tame the wildfire, which is in its seventh day of burning in the Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area Operations, focused on Sunday on the mesa top and ridgeline, officials said. Crews also are cleaning up any unburned patches and patrolling and mopping the perimeter.

“Crews continue to evaluate the need for suppression repair across the fire,” the update said.

Sunday was expected to be sunny, with highs in the low 60s and humidity between 9% and 14%, which is greater than previous days.

Weather is expected to be mostly calm through Monday afternoon, with occasional wind gusts. Forecasters expect warmer and drier conditions over the first half of this week.

Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area, near the New Mexico state line, remains closed. Turkey hunting license holders will be notified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

There are no evacuation orders at this time, though a Stage 2 fire ban continues for Las Animas County, prohibiting outdoor smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning and gas flares related to oil and gas production. Statewide fire restrictions also have been enacted in New Mexico.