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Successful efforts by firefighters coupled with favorable weather have limited spread of the Halfway Hill Fire for the past three days. Today’s weather is forecast to be warmer and drier with gusty winds, which may increase fire activity before another round of moisture arrives Sunday. Vegetation in the area remains very dry.Firefighting suppression efforts will focus on the perimeter of the fire area to limit additional outward spread. Vegetation well inside the fireline will continue to burn until significant precipitation extinguishes all heat and flames on the fire area. As a result, smoke on the interior of the fire may continue to be visible in the coming weeks. In many places, it is not safe or efficient to have firefighters put out all fire so far inside the firelines.
 Firefighters will be using the tactic of backburning today between Sand Rock Ridge and South Fork Chalk Creek to improve the indirect firelines – fireline constructed some distance from the fire’s active edge. A backfire removes the available grass, brush, and trees from near the indirect fireline to lower the fire intensity of the main fire as it approaches the control line and limit spread beyond the line. Backfires are only completed after careful consideration and planning. They allow the crews to pick the time of day and conditions under which they take actions to suppress the fire and result in a safer and more effective operation.
 An unmanned aerial system (UAS) will be used to ignite the backburn. And crews will work on the ground to ensure the fire does not spread beyond the intended locations or burn faster than desired. The burning will begin on the uphill end of the fireline and slowly move downhill. This low intensity fire will burn through the underbrush, leaving vegetation in place for regrowth but not allowing the main fire to burn beyond the indirect fireline.
 Community Meeting – Video: Approximately 75 community members attended last night’s community meeting in Fillmore and more than 170 people watched the meeting on Facebook Live. The recording is available to watch on Utah Fire Info Facebook: https://fb.watch/eiqTsVYzZY/.
 Closure: The Fishlake National Forest has a closure order in place in the vicinity of the Halfway Hill Fire. The 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/.
Recreationalists are urged to be aware of changing conditions and closures and to check intended travel routes before heading out this weekend. Please remember there is heavy fire traffic on roads in the area, particularly in the early morning and late evening hours.