High winds threaten Pole Creek fire

Yesterday: A reprieve from seven continuous days of Red Flag conditions allowed air resources to aggressively attack the fire. With winds down slightly and visibility better, aircraft were able to drop more than 150,000 gallons of retardant on the fire. Helicopter bucket work effectively held the fire in check on the ridge above Covered Bridge. Containment increased to 23 percent, mostly in the southern portion of the fire near Highway 89 and along Highway 6, east of Thistle. Firefighters again worked on structure protection along Highway 6 and Highway 89, and in Wanrhodes, Covered Bridge, Diamond Creek, and Little Diamond Creek. No primary structures have been reported lost. The fire continued to move northwest in the Diamond Fork area. Night operations were bolstered with additional crews, engines, and equipment.
Today: A Red Flag warning has been issued for high winds and low humidity for today and tomorrow. Southwest winds will gust up to 35 miles per hour today. Extreme fire behavior is predicted, with the fire expected to move to the north. Crews will continue aggressive suppression efforts and structure protection. Fire managers will access options for indirect line construction north of Highway 6, if direct attack is not possible.
Residents and visitors are invited to an information meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the Salem High School auditorium, where fire officials will provide an update on the Bald Mountain Fire.
Air Quality Information: https://tools.airfire.org/outlooks/CentralUtah
Area Closures: The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest implemented an area closure for the fire area, which will be in effect util it is recinded by the Forest Supervisor. The full closure order and map can be found under the closure tab on the Pole Creek Fire InciWeb page. The closure also includes Santaquin Canyon, Mona Pole Canyon, and the Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway from Payson Canyon to Salt Creek Canyon.
Road Closures: US Highway 6 is closed at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon (Milepost 178) to the junction with US Highway 191 (Milepost 239) just north of Helper. US Highway 89 is closed at the Thistle Junction on Highway 6 to the Utah/Sanpete county line (Milepost 297 – 312). See the Utah Department of Transportation website for more information: http://commuterlink.utah.gov/CLVALertViewer.aspx?CLType-1 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a temporary flight restriction over both fires: http://trf.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_1898.html