Fire in monitoring stage

The McEwan Fire that ignited July 4 near East McEwan Prairie Road is still burning, but has been moved to "patrol status" by the state Department of Natural Resources as of Monday, according to Central Mason Fire & EMS.

According to the CMFE Facebook page, DNR will continue to monitor the fire to ensure the fire remains inactive and within its footprint. People might continue to see fire crews coming and going from the fire area during that time.

It will remain in patrol status until a "season-ending event" occurs in the late fall or early winter. According to CMFE Executive Secretary Norma Br...