EMERY COUNTY, Utah -- State Road 31 remains closed near Huntington and some areas have been evacuated as the Trail Mountain Fire grew to an estimated 9,554 acres Thursday.
The Trail Mountain Fire began as a prescribed burn but grew out of control due to windy conditions.
Thursday the acreage increased to 9,554 acres while containment remains at 10 percent. Fire officials say Red Flag Warning conditions mean fire behavior could be extreme Thursday and further growth is possible.
The fire is expected to continue spreading north along Highway 31, where crews say the timber is more dense. Firefighters have been able to prevent the fire from crossing the highway.
The Emery County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday evening that SR-31 is closed from the Huntington Power Plant to milepost 18.5, which they say is the turnoff to Miller's Flat. The road closure is due to increased fire activity.
The road closure remained in effect Thursday, and all residents, workers and visitors in the vicinity of the closure have been evacuated. The power plant remains open, however.
Trail Canyon has also been evacuated along with the Rhino Coal Mine, which is located in Huntington Canyon.
Thursday fire officials provided this list of closures: "The Manti-La Sal National Forest has closed Indian Creek Campground, Forest Trail 0051, and Forest Roads 0034, 2302, 2181, 2180, and 2182. Trail Canyon and all campgrounds between the Huntington Power Plant and mile post 18.5 of Highway 31 are also closed."
As of Thursday there are six helicopters, 24 engines and 14 crews amounting to 580 total personnel fighting the fire. Crews are focusing on using natural and man-made barriers, like roads and rocky ridges, to contain the fire perimeter and are removing vegetation and using dozers to create fire lines where necessary.
