Follow Michaux State Forest or visit DCNR's website at https://www.pa.gov/.../state.../find-a-forest/michaux.html for the latest information on the status of the wildfire.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (CBS 21/WHP) — Firefighters have been working overnight to contain wildfires burning in the Michaux State Forest, which officials say have burned nearly one thousand acres combined.
As of Friday morning, Cumberland County's Department of Public Safety confirmed that two fires are still active: the Thompson Hollow Fire, which is located near Shippensburg and Thompson Hollow roads, and the Hammond's Rock Fire, located near Ridge Road and Cold Springs Road.
Dispatchers said volunteer firefighters were switching off with crews from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the night monitoring the fires.
Around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said in an update that both fires spread rapidly Thursday due to dry conditions and things like mountain laurels that can act as fuel for the fire.
Thompson Hollow Fire
The Thompson Hollow Fire, which broke out around 5 p.m. Wednesday, has spread to around 750 acres, the DCNR said.
Homes in the area were evacuated out of an abundance of caution, but no structures have been lost.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Homes being evacuated as mountain fires throughout Cumberland County worsen
Shippensburg/Baltimore and Thompson Hollow Roads are closed indefinitely as crews battle the fire.
In a Facebook post made early Friday morning, Vigilant Fire Company #1 said the Thompson Hollow Fire is one of the largest mountain fires the community has ever seen.
Crews from Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, Dauphin, York and Lebanon Counties have all been rotating shifts to battle the blaze.
"Crews will continue working through the night into the weekend to contain the fire," the fire company posted. "If you would like to donate anything to assist in the rehab efforts, cases of water or Gatorade can be dropped of at our station or with the Shippensburg EMS for distribution to the crews on scene."
Hammond's Rock Fire
The Hammond's Rock Fire, which broke out around 11 a.m. Thursday, has spread to around 200 acres, the DCNR said Thursday night.
No structures are believed to be at risk in that area.
Ridge Road and Cold Springs Road are closed, and Buck Ridge Trail is closed from Pine Grove Furnace State Park to Kings Gap Environmental Education Center.
Governor Shapiro addressed the fires in a post on X, saying teams from the PA Emergency Management Agency, PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and Pennsylvania State Police are all responding.
In a news release, DCNR said that in Pennsylvania, 99% of all wildfires are caused by people, and the greatest months at risk for wildfires in Pennsylvania are March, April and May, along with October and November.
More information on wildfire safety can be found here.
State officials are warning that most of Pennsylvania is at high risk for wildfires. According to the latest Forest Fire Danger map by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), 61 out of 67 counties, including Berks and Lancaster, are in the high-risk category. This warning comes as firefighters battle two significant fires in the Michaux State Forest, which have already consumed hundreds of acres.
The fire in the Michaux State Forest, located in Cumberland County, began on Wednesday (April 23) near Shippensburg and Baltimore roads in Southampton Township. Despite initial suppression efforts, the fire has spread due to dry conditions and abundant fuel sources like leaf litter and dead timber. Aerial units are assisting in the firefighting efforts, and traffic restrictions are in place on Shippensburg and Thompson Hollow roads for safety reasons.
The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for the Susquehanna Valley, warning of very warm temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds that could increase the risk of wildfire spread. The period of greatest risk is expected between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Residents are urged to exercise caution with potential ignition sources, such as machinery and cigarettes, to prevent fires from starting and spreading rapidly.
For more information on wildfire prevention and safety, residents can visit the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.