Millie Firefighters Battle Wind
The Millie Fire is now 45 percent contained and remains at 10,205 acres.
Firefighters continued their efforts today securing existing containment lines and doing so during today’s strong winds.
“We’re two thirds of the way thru the weather event, and while I feel pretty good, I’m still keeping my fingers crossed.” said Tracy Dunford, Deputy Incident Commander. He went on to say “A Red Flag warning continues to be in effect through tomorrow with hotter temperatures, lower humidity and stronger winds … predicted conditions tomorrow, while milder, still require our firefighters to be alert to continued critical fire weather.”
There was a small increase in fire behavior today due to the strong winds and high temperatures and lower relative humidity.
Today, aerial resources played a major part in suppression by keeping the fire within the pretreated aerial retardant lines at the head of South Cottonwood Drainage. Air support is critical in the steep, rocky terrain, because placing crews in such an environment is hazardous.
A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response Team started its initial assessment of the burned area and will continue to work with suppression resources to evaluate negative effects caused by the fire. Ash and other debris from the most impacted areas of the fire may cause injury to aquatic animals and plants to show up in the drainages.
Seven crews, 10 engines, five helicopters, seven dozers and one water tender are working on the fire. A total of 357 personnel are assigned to the incident.
Additional Fire Information Meetings have yet to be scheduled.
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