Evacuation orders remain in effect as crew battle Millville fire

A sign just south of the Millville city park thanking firefighters.

<strong>MILLVILLE —</strong> Fire fighters working on the Millville fire, said “Thursday was a good day,” slowing the spread of the fire. Officials though are still cautious in speculating how much longer before the fire is put out.

Larry Lucas, Information Officer with the U.S. Forest Service said “yes, we’re feeling good but we’re not ready to say we’ve turned the corner. Yesterday was a very good day and you get two good days together, then that may make us say that.”

The fire is now at 30% containment and has burned approximately 2800 acres. Lucas said it’s been difficult for crews to estimate the size of the fire in some areas because of the steep terrain.

“You have little pockets of burning in these relatively large areas, making it a little hard to determine how much of it is a part of the fire,” said Lucas. “It is within the perimeter though.”

A new crew from Wisconsin arrived Thursday night and will begin working on the fireline today. That brings the total number of personnel working the fire to 190. That number is expected to change though, after a hotshot crew leaves today or Saturday.

There are also five engines in use and Lucas said, fire managers are hoping to have the help from air tankers and helicopters today. Having air support Thursday really made the difference. Lucas said he’s hopeful the they will be available. “Because of other incidents (fires), our priority has shifted lower,” said Lucas. “Sometimes that affects the resources we get.”

The mandatory evacuations and road closures will continue until conditions change. The evacuation area begins at the mouth of Blacksmiths Fork canyon. The area does not include any of the subdivisions at the mouth of the canyon. A roadblock has been set up on the canyon road, SR 101 at the intersection of South Hollow road. The evacuation area extends east to the intersection with the Left Hand Fork road (approximately 6 miles). The mandatory evacuation also includes the Left Hand Fork Canyon area and extends to the Gray Cliff springs area (approximately 7 miles).

The Blacksmiths Fork Canyon road and Left Hand Fork road continues to be closed to all nonessential traffic. Millville Canyon also remains closed.

Trails in the Left Hand Fork, Richards Hollow, Herd Hollow, and Gray Cliff springs areas are also closed.

A Red Flag alert that has been in effect for the past two days is now forecasted to continue through most of today. Lucas said these same conditions contributed to the fire spreading Wednesday, prompting the evacuations.

The evacuation orders and road closures are expected to be in effect through the weekend. “We’re looking for every opportunity to be able to cut it off. It’s likely to hold for the weekend,” said Lucas.

The Millville fire was sparked by lighting, early Sunday morning.

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