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11:30 Update: Weather favoring firefighters combating Mount Graham fires

WILCOX - As of 11 a.m. Saturday morning, the U.S. Forest Service is declaring the Gibson and Nuttall fires in Mount Graham 45 percent contained. A rise in humidity appears to be the largest contributor in dampening the blazes, with humidity levels expected to reach as high as 38% atop Mount Graham by mid-afternoon, according to Bill Duemling, Forest Service Information Officer. The high humidity is currently not enough to cause rain, but is enough to slow the burn. Approaching the mountain from the west on I-10 just outside of Wilcox, the improvement is apparent. The once-imperiled University of Arizona observatory, visible from the road, appears to be in the clear with the fire blazing to the southeast. The other sign that conditions have improved is in the Forest Service's opening the area back up to the media. Duemling says that the weather forecast for the rest of the day favors firefighters. It will be partly cloudy until 11, then mostly cloudy with scattered showers expected throughout the day. The temperature will be between 76-86 degrees. Stay tuned to StarNet for updates.