According to Emery County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, this morning Sheriff Greg Funk and Captain Kyle Ekker met with fire officials and private industry this morning to discuss the status of road closures, evacuations and power issues in Huntington Canyon.
As of 7:00 a.m. today, SR 31 has been reopened. However, there will still be a lot of fire truck traffic and smoke could settle near the roadway, so please use extreme caution when traveling SR 31.
Sheriff Funk stated that evacuations have been lifted in the canyon and residents will be able to return to their homes in Bear Canyon. As reported yesterday, power was restored to Rhino Mine and they are getting ready to get back to work.
Power poles that supply electricity to the homes in Bear Canyon were burned. Rocky Mountain Power is working diligently to make repairs. In the meantime, Sheriff Funk stated that ECSO has provided emergency generators to the homes so residents don’t lose their refrigerated and frozen foods.
ECSO along with Fire Officials issued immediate closure of SR 31 at 12:00 pm Friday afternoon. Huntington Canyon will be closed again due to fire activity close to the road. The closure will be from the turnoff to Rhino Mine up to MP 18.5 which is the turnoff to Miller’s Flat.
The most current update was given at 3:00 pm on Friday, where the primary concern is the dense smoke in Huntington Canyon right now. Fire activity has increased significantly in upper Mill Fork. The #TrailMountainFire has not crossed SR31. The road will reopen once conditions clear.
There are over 600 firefighters working to stop the fire. There have been many community members wanting to help in one way or another. At this time officials as that you do not donate food or beverages as the command post takes care of that. However, they are in desperate needs of sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer and baby wipes. For Carbon County residents, items may be dropped off at Price City Hall on Main Street and Emery County residents may drop off their items at the Base Camp information tent at the entrance of Emery High School.
Keep informed on the Trail Mountain Fire by visiting Emery County Sheriff’s Office.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE