Halfway Hill Fire slows; crew reduction expected throughout week

The Halfway Hill Fire in Millard County, July 10, 2022 | Photo by Utah Fire Information, St. George News

FILLMORE — Fire managers are beginning to reduce the size of the crew working the 11,773-acre Halfway Hill Fire, a human-caused blaze first reported July 8.

Map shows specifics of the Halfway Hill Fire, July 19, 2022 | Map courtesy of utahfireinfo.gov, St. George News

According to a news release, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team No. 4 has continued to “make great progress … Despite gusty winds yesterday (Monday), fire growth was minimal.”

As of Tuesday evening, 12 crews totaling 518 personnel had the fire 49% contained, according to Utah Fire Info’s website. Some 20 engines, two dozers and six helicopters have been involved, the news release said. Crew numbers have been reduced and will be deployed on fires where there are “fewer firefighting  resources and more urgent needs.”

“Sufficient personnel remain on this fire to achieve the objectives of preventing spread to private property and minimizing impacts to infrastructure. The Incident Management  Team expects to release additional resources over the next few days and will likely transition to a smaller organization at the end of the week,” the news release said.

And while fire crews have made considerable progress, “elevated fire weather conditions will return, with temperatures climbing throughout the week and stronger winds possible for Friday.” 

Fire managers initiated a backburn on Monday but the effort was deemed “only marginally successful because of the increased humidity and cloud cover,” the news release said. Efforts were expected to continue Tuesday to “backburn the vegetation between the main fire and the Chalk Creek Road along the ridge Horse Hollow.”

Over 10,000 acres burned between July 8 and July 12, but over the last week, the fire has increased by nominal amounts in the upper elevation sections of the fire.

Additionally, the Incident Information System reminds citizens that the Fishlake National Forest has issued a closure order in the vicinity of the Halfway Hill Fire.

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