Tuesday afternoon’s thunderstorms brought only a trace of precipitation and gusty winds of up to 35 mph to the Halfway Hill Fire south of Fillmore, Utah. The wind resulted in embers causing smaller spot fires and a temporary halt to air operations because of high winds and reduced visibility. Weather conditions also hampered the overnight attempts to map the fire growth. The fire’s acreage is still being reported at 10,436 acres but will be updated when the next infrared flight can be accomplished.
Firefighters did increase containment to 5% yesterday, but because of the erratic winds and fire growth have not lifted the evacuations for the Virginia Hills subdivision. The status of the evacuations, and any additional evacuations, will be continuously evaluated to ensure the safety of all area residents. Steep terrain and heavy vegetation continue to challenge firefighters. Rather than working directly along the active fire perimeter on the northern edge, they are evaluating locations where they can safely contain the fire. Working indirectly in this manner, they will use ridges, open meadows, and other natural and manmade features as containment lines. As the fire approaches these predetermined locations, they will then be able to engage in direct fire suppression tactics. Within the fire perimeter, there are unburned brush, grass, and trees, creating a mosaic pattern on the landscape. In addition to building and strengthening direct and indirect fireline, crews are working to extinguish any spot fires to the north of containment lines. They will be on the lookout for more spotting driven by afternoon winds. Overnight, downslope winds will continue to push smoke in the valley. This may lead to unhealthy air conditions. Stay indoors and limit outdoor exertion when smoke is heavy. Those with sensitive or existing health issues should consult with their health care provider for specific instructions. Please be aware of increased traffic in and around the fire area, particularly during early morning and late evening hours. Safety of the public and firefighters is the first priority on this and all wildland fires. Closure: The Fishlake National Forest has issued a new and larger area closure that includes the Paiute Trail Road for the safety of firefighters and the public. The updated closure order, including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed, along with maps are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8215/.
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