Evacuations underway for two Millard County wildfires

MILLARD COUNTY, Utah — Evacuations are underway for two different wildfires in Millard County — the Dry Creek Fire and the Halfway Hill Fire. A tire shredding plant also caught fire in the county around the same time.

Dry Creek Fire

The Dry Creek Fire, just east of Oak City, has caused evacuations of nearby campgrounds.

According to Kayli Yardley with Utah Fire Info, no homes have been evacuated yet in that area, just the campgrounds in Oak City Canyon.

Red Flag Warning weather conditions are expected today. It will be very hot (100 degrees), windy (25 with gusts 35 mph), and dry (RH down to 5%)! Besides protection of homes and communities we are also trying to protect habitat for wildlife such as these guys. #DryCreek Fire pic.twitter.com/WXsbq2dZDt

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 9, 2022

State fire officials have estimated the rapidly-moving blaze at approximately 900 acres, as of 7:43 p.m, adding that it “started on private land near the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon and has burned onto USFS lands.”

“Resources include 15 local fire department and federal engines, 2 water tenders, 1 dozer, 2 road graders, 3 helicopters available,” a tweet from Utah Fire Info stated.

The fire is under investigation but believed to be human caused.

Halfway Hill Fire

Evacuations of the Virginia Hills subdivision, southeast of Fillmore, are underway after another wildfire sparked in Millard County Friday afternoon.

By Monday morning, state fire officials have estimated the Halfway Hill Fire at over 10,141 acres.

The 10,141 acre #HalfwayHillFire near Fillmore, UT showed more moderate fire behavior Sunday. The Virginia Hills subdivision is still under evacuation until fire managers and the Millard Sheriff are confident residents can return to their homes safely. pic.twitter.com/nI4hH5RLL5

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 11, 2022

“We had the perfect combination for wildfire, and this is what resulted,” Yardley said.

Resources will remain on scene of the #HalfwayHillFire tonight. IMT has been ordered. Fire is estimated at 800-1000 acres. Evacuation order remains in place for the Virginia Hills subdivision. #kswddblm pic.twitter.com/FoiXUrge3w

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 9, 2022

“Due to red flag conditions & limited accessibility, air resources have played a huge role in the suppression efforts,” a tweet from Utah Fire Info stated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. But on Sunday, four individuals were arrested in relation to the Halfway Hill Fire. 

Fire at tire shredding plant

The Millard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday afternoon that in addition to the two wildfires, the tire shredding plant in Fillmore went up in flames.

As a result, deputies have encouraged the public to stay out of the following areas:

• Sand Rock Ridge and Pine Creek Area near Fillmore
• Fillmore Industrial Park where the tire shredding plant is on fire
• Oak Creek Canyon area and the Dry Creek area near Oak City

“We appreciate your willingness to avoid unnecessary travel around these events to allow heavy fire resources to move about,” the agency’s Facebook post stated.