By Brenda Starkey
Chronicle staff

     NEWHALEM - The Panther Creek Fire, burning on an 80- to 90-degree slope has slowed down with a cooler, more humid weather pattern, according to North Cascades National Park spokeswoman Kerry Olson.
     The fire, which had charred approximately 140 acres as of Tuesday afternoon, is being left to burn, mainly because the cost of fighting it would be prohibitive, Olson said.
     There are no firefighters at the fire, which is burning in a heavily forested area on the east flank of Ruby Mountain above Panther Creek, according to a press release from the National Park Service.
     North Cascades National Park's fire management team is closely managing the fire, the release said.
     Ruby Mountain is located about two miles south of State Highway 20 near Ross Dam, according to a NPS map.
     Smoke from the fire is visible from State Highway 20 and from Ross Lake, but the highway and park facilities remain open, Olson said.
     The blaze did force the closure of Panther Creek Trail from Highway 20 to Fourth of July Pass, according the park service.
     Firefighters did protect a bridge along the trail, but fighting the fire at its present location would take a lot of aircraft and helicopter drops, Olson said.
     It is the policy of the National Park Service to preserve the natural processes, it will be allowed to burn, Olson said.
     NPS will continue to watch the fire and resources will be used as necessary to protect people and infrastructure, she said.     
     The lightning-sparked Panther Creek Fire was first detected June 28, the NPS release said.
     During the Independence Day weekend, hot, dry weather caused the fire to grow downhill towards Panther Creek, the release said.