Crews making progress on Millville Fire

Tuesday night's wind pushed fire further into the steep terrain on the north side of Blacksmith Fork Canyon.

MILLVILLE — The Millville fire has been upgraded to 20% containment. Crews are continuing to battle the fire as equipment was pulled away Tuesday because of the Summit County fire, burning in Park City. Larry Lucas, Information Officer with the U.S. Forest Service said helicopters that had been making water drops on the fire were called to Park City, after lightning sparked a fire there, destroying 12 homes and growing already to 4,000 acres.

Lucas said crews are hoping to have helicopter support later Wednesday.  “We’re hoping to get them back,” said Lucas. “That’s how we are going to get most of the work done.”

Fire managers had also ordered a hotshots crew that specialize in fighting fires in steep terrain. Lucas said with all the other fires burning in the area they don’t expect them to arrive. “It’s been frustrating but there are a lot incidents going on and those crews are in demand.”

Lucas said high winds Tuesday night spread the fire further west into Blacksmith Fork Canyon. “We’re trying to keep it on top of the ridge and it keeps going down these drainages, where you cannot get people into really do anything,” said Lucas. “It’s purely a helicopter, dropping water on, kind of situation.”

Lucas said the goal is to keep the fire away from the canyon road. Crews are continuing a burnout along the road to create a barrier, so the fire can’t spread to the north. “Our worst case scenario is if the fire moves beyond the Blacksmith Canyon Road.”

Lucas said crews expect to continue working on the fire into the weekend. “You know we kind of termed it yesterday, this isn’t a sprint,” said Lucas. “This is more of a marathon event. It is going to go on through the weekend, until we have a really good feel for it.”

Windy conditions have triggered a red flag alert, that’s in effect through Thursday. 150 personnel are working on the fire, including five hand crews and five engines.

The fire was started by lighting early Sunday morning.  It has burned 2250 acres.

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