On Monday, additional resources joined the firefighting team at the Halfway Hill Fire south of Fillmore, Utah. Some aircraft and crews were released from the nearby Dry Creek Fire as operations there scale back. The Halfway Hill Fire put up a large column of smoke that towered above the community Monday evening, as pockets of dead trees and heavy fuels burned in the interior of the fire perimeter, south of the South Fork of Chalk Creek and Pistol Creek Campground. Warm temperatures and low humidity enabled the fire to actively burn through the night. Infrared mapping showed the fire grew by about 300 acres yesterday.

Crews made progress strengthening and digging direct line on the western side of the fire yesterday. Fire operations specialists are assessing options such as existing roads, ridges and previous burns to contain the human-caused wildfire. Factors such as heavy fuels, steep and rugged terrain, lack of roads, gusty winds and heat are all taken into consideration as fire suppression strategies are developed.

Hot and dry conditions are predicted to continue throughout the week.  Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible, which could cause gusty and erratic winds that can cause extreme fire behavior.  Wind has been the primary factor behind large growth of the Halfway Hill Fire.

Residents of the Virginia Hills subdivision are still under evacuation until fire managers and the Millard County Sheriff’s Office are confident residents can return to their homes safely.  The status of evacuations and closures is continuously monitored based on current and expected fire activity.

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 enacted an area closure for the safety of firefighters and the public.  A map and description of the closure area are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8215/

Fire activity on the Halfway Hill Fire was more moderate Sunday as the gusty winds of the previous two days lessened. The fire is located directly south of Fillmore, Utah. Residents of the Virginia Hills subdivision are still under evacuation until fire managers and the Millard County Sheriff’s Office are confident residents can return to their homes safely. The status of evacuations and closures is continuously monitored based on current and expected fire activity. The fireline is not considered contained unless there is certainty fire will not continue to spread in the direction of residences. Firefighters are actively working in the subdivision and will do so until all areas of concern are addressed.Hot and dry conditions are predicted to continue throughout the week. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible, which could cause gusty and erratic winds that can cause extreme fire behavior.Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Halfway Hill Fire Sunday. The Team is leveraging the accomplishments of the local initial attack firefighters, securing existing dozer lines and identifying other containment strategies. Challenges include heavy fuels, steep and rugged terrain, lack of roads, and heat. 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 enacted an area closure for the safety of firefighters and the public. A map and description of the closure area are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8215/.

Sunday, July 10, 2022 

Contact Fire Information:  435-414-9418 

or 2022.HalfwayHill@firenet.gov 

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8215/ 

Twitter:  @UtahWildfire 

Facebook:  @UtahWildfire 

Fire activity on the Halfway Hill Fire increased Saturday afternoon due to strong, gusty winds, low relative humidity, and high temperatures.  Fire growth for the day was approximately 2,000 acres, with the overall perimeter mapped at 7,958 acres overnight.  The fire is located directly south of Fillmore, Utah.  At this time, residences in the Virginia Hills subdivision are still under evacuation.  Fire managers are working closely with the Millard County Sheriff’s Office to allow residents to return as soon as feasible. 

Weather conditions today will be similar to yesterday.  Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible, which could cause gusty and erratic winds.  The fire is burning on steep slopes in the higher elevations, causing rapid uphill spread, particularly when aligned with updrainage winds.   

Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Halfway Hill Fire this morning.  To support firefighters and other assigned resources, a fire camp has been established at the Millard County Fairgrounds in Fillmore, Utah.  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.  Firefighters are working to minimize impacts to property and homes.  

Closure:  The Fishlake National Forest has enacted an area closure for the safety of firefighters and the public.  A map of the closure area is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8215/.  The area is described as:  

NORTHERN BOUNDARY: National Forest System lands south of Forest Road 100 Chalk Creek Canyon.  From the easterly junction of Forest Road 096, west to the forest boundary. 
EASTERN BOUNDARY: National Forest System lands west of Forest Road 096 from the northerly junction of Forest Road 100 to the southerly junction of Forest trail 032. 
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY: National Forest System lands north of Forest Road 501 from the westerly junction of the forest boundary to the easterly junction of Forest Trail 032. Then from Forest Trail 032 to the easterly junction of Forest Road 096. 
WESTERN BOUNDARY: National Forest System lands east of the forest boundary. From the northerly junction of Forest Road 100 to the southerly junction of Forest Road 501. 

Fire Statistics
Size: 653 acres
Containment: 83%
Total Personnel: 124
Location: approximately 5 miles SW of Esterbrook, WY
Reported: Saturday, July 9, at approximately 1:30 PM
Cause: Lightning

Special Note: This will be the last daily update on the Monday Creek Fire. We will continue to provide updates, as needed, on the fire’s InciWeb page.
 
Current Situation:  Containment of the Monday Creek Fire has increased to 83%.  More rain fell over the fire area yesterday afternoon and overnight, and the moisture helped to further reduce fire behavior.

Today, a local type 4 organization under the command of Theo Engel has taken over management of the fire. The team has been shadowing the outgoing type 3 team for the past two days and will continue the effort to fully suppress the fire. Firefighters will focus on the uncontained northwest edge, which is located in steep, rugged terrain. In other areas of the fire, crews will be patrolling and monitoring, making sure there are no threats to the line.

The team is also developing a suppression repair plan. Suppression repair involves returning areas disturbed by firefighting activities back to the way they were before the fire. The work will include repairing hand line and dozer line.

Esterbrook Road has been reopened between Mile Marker 32 and the Albany/Converse County line. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when driving on the road, as fire engines and heavy equipment continue to use it for operations related to the Monday Creek Fire.

Weather Conditions: Subtropical moisture will spread northeast over the fire area. There is a chance of showers Friday morning, with precipitation more likely in the afternoon and evening. The same moisture pattern continues on Saturday. Drier weather is expected on Sunday and into next week.

Fire Restrictions: Converse County has Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in place, which ban all fireworks and outdoor fires in unimproved areas. More information on fire restrictions are available online at www.conversecountywy.gov.

Information Phone: 970-819-2898
Email: sm.fs.r2_mbr_vis@usda.gov
Information Staffing Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM    

Esterbrook Road (Converse County Road 5/7) has been reopened between Mile Marker 32 and the Albany/Converse County line. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when driving on the road, as fire engines and heavy equipment continue to use it for operations related to the Monday Creek Fire.

Esterbrook Road (Converse County Road 5/7) has been reopened between Mile Marker 32 and the Albany/Converse County line. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when driving on the road, as fire engines and heavy equipment continue to use it for operations related to the Monday Creek Fire.

Fire Statistics
Size: 653 acres
Containment: 73%
Total Personnel: 147
Location: approximately 5 miles SW of Esterbrook, WY
Reported: Saturday, July 9, at approximately 1:30 PM
Cause: Lightning
 
Current Situation:  Firefighters have now reached 73% containment on the Monday Creek Fire.  Rain fell on much of the fire area over night, and fire behavior has been minimal. The new containment is along the southwest and west edges of the fire. Today firefighters will focus efforts on the uncontained northwest edge, near Horseshoe Creek. Other crews will continue work further inside the fire’s edge, mopping up hot spots. This is a full suppression fire.

Tomorrow the fire will be turned over to a type-4 incident management team. Members of that team are shadowing the current team today, working towards a smooth transition. 

Weather Conditions: Temperatures in the fire area will hit the mid-80’s today. The humidity level drops to 20%, with another chance for rain and thunderstorms later in the day.

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions: Esterbrook Road is closed to the general public in the fire area.

Converse County enacted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions into effect, banning all fireworks and outdoor fires in unimproved areas.  More information on fire restrictions is available online at www.conversecountywy.gov

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. TFR violations can disrupt aerial firefighting operations and may force fire managers to ground essential aircraft. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 
 
Information Phone: 307-298-9414

Email: 2022.mondaycreek@firenet.gov

Information Staffing Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM 

Fire Statistics
Size: 653 acres
Containment: 38%
Total Personnel: 202
Location: approximately 5 miles SW of Esterbrook, WY
Reported: Saturday, July 9, at approximately 1:30 PM
Cause: Lightning  

Current Situation:  Containment of the Monday Creek Fire has jumped to 38%. This follows several days of coordinated firefighting involving crews on the ground, supported by water and retardant drops from helicopters and tanker planes.  The contained section is along the eastern flank of the fire, just north of Esterbrook Road. 

 

Along the west edge yesterday, firefighters completed an effort to secure nearly 3 miles of fireline.  The 2 hotshot crews had started on opposite ends of the edge and worked for two days until they reached each other.  Today they will move further interior to strengthen the line by extinguishing hot spots and removing hazard trees.  

Weather Conditions: High temperatures increase to the mid-80’s today with light winds out of the southwest, shifting to the east in the afternoon. Humidity drops to 20%, with a slight chance of a thunderstorm later in the day.

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions: Esterbrook Road is closed to the general public in the fire area.  

Converse County enacted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions into effect, banning all fireworks and outdoor fires in unimproved areas.  More information on fire restrictions is available online at www.conversecountywy.gov 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. TFR violations can disrupt aerial firefighting operations and may force fire managers to ground essential aircraft. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

 

Information Phone: 307-298-9414 

Email: 2022.mondaycreek@firenet.gov 

Information Staffing Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM 

Fire Statistics
Size: 653 acres
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel: 224
Location: approximately 5 miles SW of Esterbrook, WY
Reported: Saturday, July 9, at approximately 1:30 PM
Cause: Lightning  

Special Note: A public meeting for residents of the Esterbrook will take place this evening at 6 PM at the Esterbrook Fire Hall. Due to a lack of Internet service at the location, the meeting will not be available for viewing online.
 
Current Situation:  Fire investigators have announced that lightning caused the Monday Creek Fire. The fire was first reported on July 9th.  Today, with the help of additional crews and support from several helicopters, firefighters continue to directly attack the fire’s edge in several locations.
 
Yesterday heavy equipment operators completed a dozer line just outside the eastern edge of the fire.  Closer in along the fire’s edge, hand crews mopped up hot spots to prevent any growth in the fire.  Along the western edge near Horseshoe Creek, two hotshot crews worked to secure fireline, with each starting on opposite ends. They dug handline, cut out snags (hazard trees damaged by the fire) and mopped up hot spots along the way. They finished last night with about one mile to go between the crews.  Today they will finish that stretch of fireline.  Firefighters will have the support of 6 helicopters today to provide targeted water drops as needed.
 
Weather Conditions: Temperatures increase into the low 80’s today with light winds early in the day.  There is a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, which could cause some gusty, erratic winds.

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions: Esterbrook Road is closed to the general public in the fire area. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. TFR violations can disrupt aerial firefighting operations and may force fire managers to ground essential aircraft. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

WYOMING INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 2
Josh Morgan, Incident Commander; Josh McGee, Incident Commander-T

Information Phone: 307-298-9414
Email: 2022.mondaycreek@firenet.gov  
Information Staffing Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM 

Monday Creek Fire Statistics:

Size: 653 acres

Containment: 0%

Total Personnel: 182

Location: Approximately 5 miles SW of Esterbrook, WY

Reported: Saturday, July 9 at approximately 01:30 PM

Cause: Unknown, under investigation  
 
Current Situation:  This morning, Wyoming Incident Management Team 2, under the command of Josh Morgan, took command of the fire. The team brings additional resources to the firefighting effort, and will build on progress already made by federal, state and local firefighters. The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain near Laramie Peak, about 5 miles southwest of Esterbrook, Wyoming.

Yesterday a series of retardant drops from air tankers, along with support from favorable winds, helped slow the growth of the fire. Crews worked to establish dozer line and hand line along the fire’s perimeter. Those efforts continue today, as firefighters look to take advantage of milder temperatures and lighter winds. Firefighters will directly engage the fire where it is possible to safely do so.  They will also have the support of 6 helicopters to provide targeted water drops to cool the fire’s edge. The goal is to keep the fire south and east of Horseshoe Creek, and north and west of Esterbrook Road. This is a full suppression fire.

Weather Conditions: Today will be cooler, with high temperatures in the mid-70’s. Minimum relative humidity is 35%. Winds will be out of the north at about 10 mph for most of the day, shifting to the northwest tonight with gusts to 15.  
 Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions: Esterbrook Road is closed to the general public in the fire area.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. TFR violations can disrupt aerial firefighting operations and may force fire managers to ground essential aircraft. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 For More Information:

  Public Information Phone: 307-298-9414

Public email 2022.mondaycreek@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSMBRTB