Weather Conditions Aid Wildfire Fight in Michaux State Forest

Two fires in Pennsylvania’s Michaux State Forest within Cumberland County have burned over 1,300 acres, however, teams made significant progress on Saturday thanks to favorable conditions reported by the state Bureau of Forestry.

The two fires are being referred to as the Thompson Hollow Fire and the Hammonds Rock Fire .

Subscribe to our Newsletters

The weather conditions were significantly altered. We experienced cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity. Overall, this has proven to be a favorable day for firefighting efforts," stated Josh Thompson, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. "These milder weather patterns have slowed down both the expansion and the strength of the blaze, enabling firefighters to venture into areas they couldn’t before due to reduced fire intensity.

Thompson mentioned that the teams managed to establish numerous containment lines.

He explained, 'To combat the blaze, we locate a tough spot where we can halt its progress and then focus our efforts on containing it from that point onward.'

The firefighters additionally performed some backfire operations.

"What this achieves is that it consumes the fuel before the fire reaches it. As a result, when the fire arrives, it halts its advance, thus not testing the containment line," he explained.

He stated that the teams will operate continuously day and night until they feel assured the blaze won't spread further.

He further mentioned that even with containment, it doesn't necessarily mean the fire is entirely extinguished.

"The point I'd like to convey is that even after achieving containment around these extensive fires, which implies securing the perimeter lines so they won’t spread further, significant areas within those perimeters—ranging from 100 to 200 feet inside—may still be at risk. Moreover, numerous acres of land could remain smoldering for an extended period, potentially lasting days or weeks until substantial rainfall occurs," he explained.

He additionally requested individuals to stay informed about potential road closures.

"There are numerous firefighters working along those routes, accompanied by extensive machinery around the clock—day and night. We kindly request that individuals show respect for these road restrictions. This will help safeguard both our firefighting teams and the general populace. Ideally, these closures should not last excessively long. However, during this period, keeping certain key roads shut down is essential for ensuring everybody’s safety," he stated.

The video below features DCNR giving an update on Friday evening.

Michaux State Forest wildfires

• The Thompson Hollow Fire started first Around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the Thompson Hollow Fire was active near the intersection of Shippensburg Road and Baltimore Road in Southampton Township. Both roads have limited traffic flow. According to the DCNR, firefighting efforts and road restrictions will likely persist over the weekend. At present, the Thompson Hollow Fire remains the more significant blaze.
• The Hammonds Rock Fire erupted around midday on Thursday In the vicinity of Ridge Road and Cold Springs Road, both of which are currently inaccessible to the general public. Visitors to the forest have been warned against using the Buck Ridge Trail and the Hammonds Rocks Trail as well. Furthermore, the beach at Laurel Lake has been shut down for helicopter water retrieval operations.

Friday evacuations

The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety informed locals about updated voluntary evacuation suggestions on Friday evening.

The areas listed below are subject to a recommended voluntary evacuation (refer to the map provided underneath).

• The Shippensburg Road section extending from Whitmer Road to Thompson Hollow Road, also known as Forest Road,
• The section of Whitmer Road located between Thompson Hollow Road and Ivy Lane

People can leave for the municipal building of Southampton Township in Cumberland County, located at 200 Airport Road, Shippensburg.

Below is the video: Prayer event organized for emergency personnel and community members impacted

Thursday evacuations

An evacuation notice were distributed to several residents on Thursday afternoon.

Residents living on Thompson Hollow Road/Forest Road and Three Turn Road in Southampton Township were instructed to go to the check-in location at 2460 Shippensburg Rd. for an assessment of their requirements and assistance.

"Kindly steer clear of these zones and permit the emergency personnel to operate safely," stated Robert Shively Jr., the Director of Cumberland County Public Safety.

Hereunder: A drone video shows a massive column of smoke.

Here below: Viewers from WGAL News 8 have shared images capturing the smoky skyline resulting from the continuing wildfires.

If you want to post pictures or clips, you have the option to upload them here or email them to news8@wgal.com We might utilize some of these both on-air and online.

Regarding the Michaux State Forest located in Pennsylvania

The state forest covers over 85,000 acres within the South Mountain region, extending into these three counties:

• Adams County
• Cumberland County
• Franklin County

Sitting within the boundaries of the forest is Pine Grove Furnace State Park , known as the halfway point along the Appalachian Trail.

Currently, the beach at Laurel Lake within Pine Grove Furnace State Park is shut down for helicopter water retrieval activities.

TOP STORIES FROM WGAL:

The community unites to seek blessings for those impacted by the wildfires.

Individuals residing close to wildfire-prone areas are observing and anticipating with trepidation: 'It's extremely frightening.'

The Red Cross establishes refuge for those impacted by the wildfires.

Ways you can assist agencies dealing with wildfires in Michaux State Forest

The risk of wildfires in Pennsylvania becomes higher during spring due to these reasons:

READ THE FULL STORY: Weather conditions aid in combating wildfires in Michaux State Forest.

CHECK OUT WGAL: Be up-to-date with today’s major headlines. Receive the newest updates, weather forecasts, and sports reports for Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York from the WGAL News Team.