ELY, Minn. (AP) — Rain is giving firefighters a break in their battle against the Boundary Waters wilderness blaze in northeastern Minnesota.

Firefighting spokesman Doug Anderson says the soaking rain allowed for crews to be pulled off at noon Wednesday. He says the crews did not add any containment lines.

A dry and warmer weather stretch is expected through the next five days. With the forest soaked with rain, Anderson says that should allow crews to be productive.

Showers earlier this week have helped firefighters keep the large forest fire from spreading. The blaze has scorched 147 square miles.

Anderson says the total number of firefighters battling the wildfire is up to nearly 840. The blaze, ignited by lightning Aug. 18, remains 30 percent contained.

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