Firefighters from Franklin County and surrounding areas, managed to contain a more than 1,300-acre wildfire in Michaux State Forest, thanks in part to some help from the weather.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said moderating temperatures and high humidity made it possible for crews to establish a perimeter to keep the blaze from spreading. They used some backfiring as well. But the fire isn’t out, and crews from many jurisdictions are continuing the fight.
The Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter for residents under voluntary evacuation recommendations because of the wildfire. That shelter is located at the First Assembly of God Church at 420 Baltimore Road in Shippensburg.
A helicopter has been drawing water from Laurel Lake to douse flames near the top of Cold Springs Road at Ridge Road, where the fire has been most intense. Both Cold Springs Road and Kings Gap are closed, and officials have urged the public to stay off Laurel Beach and the lake until further notice as aerial firefighting operations continue.
Not only is the fire danger an issue, according to published reports, but the fire crews have equipment and personnel working on those roads as they continue to battle the blaze.
The Thompson Hollow Fire, which ignited around 5 p.m. Wednesday, quickly grew from 750 acres to more than 1,150 acres by Friday morning, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The fire, fueled by dry leaves and timber, prompted evacuation notices for residents along Shippensburg Road, Forest Road, Thompson Hollow Road and Three Turn Road. No structures have been lost, but the risk remains high as dry conditions persist.
A second evacuation notice was issued Friday afternoon for residents who live along Whitmer Road, from the beginning of the road to Ivy Lane
Crews from Franklin, Cumberland, Adams, Dauphin, York and Lebanon counties are rotating eight-hour shifts as they work to contain the blaze. The Franklin Fire Company reported that volunteers returned home late Thursday night, but many regional teams remain on the mountain, with the incident still described as “very active.”
A second fire, known as the Hammond’s Rock Fire, broke out Thursday near Ridge Road and Cold Springs Road in Dickinson Township, Cumberland County, and has expanded to approximately 200 acres. Kings Gap Environmental Education Center and several roads and trails, including Buck Ridge Trail, are closed as a precaution.
The DCNR emphasized that 99 percent of wildfires in Pennsylvania are caused by people, with the greatest risk occurring in the spring and fall months. Residents are advised to clear debris from around their homes and follow all fire safety guidelines. Despite the scale of the fires, no homes have been reported lost, and officials continue to monitor the situation closely.
Gov. Josh Shapiro said state and local agencies are coordinating efforts to protect residents and limit the spread of the fires. The public is urged to avoid the affected areas and refrain from burning, as conditions remain extremely hazardous.
