The fires in Michaux State Forest did not expand their footprint on Sunday, according to state officials, as growing portions of the fires are considered to be contained.
A key road running through Michaux State Forest is expected to re-open for local traffic only Sunday night, and any remaining displaced residents are advised they can return home, as crews continue to make progress in containing two significant central Pennsylvania wildfires.
Baltimore/Shippensburg Road, which had been closed due to the Thompson Hollow Fire, is scheduled to re-open around 8 p.m. Sunday, according to DCNR spokesperson Heather Showman. No through-traffic will be permitted, only local residential vehicles, as fire crews will continue to use the road for access. The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety also said Sunday afternoon that residents who were still under an evacuation advisory have been told they are clear to return. Roughly 80% of the evacuation notices had been lifted as of Saturday, according to the county.“Residents have received detailed travel guidance to access their properties,” county public safety director Robert Shively Jr. said in a written notice. “We want to reassure the community that structural firefighting crews and equipment will remain on site near their homes as a precaution to help ensure everyone’s safety.” The DCNR said earlier Sunday that roughly 33% of the 2,248-acre Thompson Hollow fire was contained. The Hammonds Rocks Fire, which has affected 497 acres near the state forest’s northeastern end, is now 69% contained. “We’re generally in much better shape than we were a few days ago,” DCNR press secretary Wesley Robinson said. Those percentages refer to the portion of the fire that crews are confident will not grow outside of firefighting boundaries, regardless of conditions. However, the DCNR said that the fires did not expand at all on Sunday, a promising sign.Photos courtesy of Cumberland County First Responder John SchafferThe Thompson Hollow Fire broke out Wednesday evening and the Hammonds Rocks Fire started sometime Thursday, according to state officials. Heavy rains on Saturday were a significant help to fire crews’ efforts, but windy conditions are a continuous challenge, as is the prevalence of what forestry officials call standing snags — dead trees that are still upright and ignite very easily. Michaux State Forest encompasses roughly 85,500 acres across Cumberland, Franklin, and Adams counties and contains numerous camping and recreation areas, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. The forest also encompasses Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The Hammonds Rocks Fire is located in the area of the Hammonds Rocks scenic overlook, around the intersection of Cold Springs and Ridge roads, roughly 4 miles southwest of Mt. Holly Springs. The Thompson Hollow Fire is burning east of Baltimore/Shippensburg Road, around Thompson Hollow/Forest Road, about 4 miles southeast of Shippensburg. Roughly 175 personnel are on-scene, Showman said, with fire companies from throughout south-central Pennsylvania cycling in and out around-the-clock to deal with the fires.Pa. Governor’s Residence reopens to public for post-Easter egg hunt hosted by Shapiros If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
Cumberland-County Michaux-State-Forest Wildfires Fire @Sub-Group-C @Sub-Group-B @Subscriberexclusive
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wildfire at Michaux State Forest shrinks but remains challenging for crewsOver the past 24 hours, multiple fire crews have been working tirelessly to contain a wildfire that erupted at Michaux State Park.
Read more »
PA firefighters work overnight as Michaux State Forest wildfires span nearly 1,000 acresFirefighters have been working overnight to contain wildfires burning in the Michaux State Forest, which officials say have spread nearly one thousand acres.
Read more »
Evacuation recommendations expanded; wildfires still not contained at Michaux State ForestOfficials from The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said they expect the wildfires in Cumberland County to continue burning in the coming days.
Read more »
Horse hotel offers room for animals evacuated due to Michaux State Forest FireA farm owner in Newville is opening her barn doors to cattle who need a safe place to go amid the Michaux State Forest Fire.
Read more »
Crews make progress in containing Michaux State Forest wildfiresThe Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) says progress is being made in containing two wildfires at Michaux State Forest in Cumb
Read more »
Fire crews beginning to contain blaze in Michaux State ForestOfficials issued an update Sunday morning on their progress fighting two fires in the Michaux State Forest.Wind
Read more »