A fast-moving wildfire south of Scipio in Millard County has forced people out of their homes, cleared out a popular campground, and shut down a key highway, officials said Saturday. The blaze, called the Wild Goose Fire, sparked Friday evening and spread quickly enough to push residents from houses and campers out of Maple Grove Campground, as fire crews scrambled to protect people and critical infrastructure.
According to ABC4 Utah, the fire was first reported around 4 p.m. on June 26 and was estimated at more than 1,000 acres by early Saturday. The outlet reports that a complex incident management team has been ordered and that officials will release more details as they come in.
Evacuations and Road Closures
The Utah Fire Info incident hub lists evacuation orders for numerous homes south of Scipio and shows Maple Grove Campground as evacuated. The hub also indicates U.S. 50 between Scipio and Aurora is closed, and that Scipio itself is in a "ready" status for possible evacuations. Authorities are asking people to steer clear of the area and give firefighters and emergency crews room to work.
Incident Command and Resources
Per ABC4 Utah, the Great Basin team is expected to transition to preparedness level 4, and a complex incident management team has been ordered to coordinate the response. That shift typically brings in more hand crews, engines, and aircraft to help carve out control lines and slow the fire’s advance.
What Residents Should Know
Federal mapping from NIFC WFIGS lists Wild Goose as an active incident in Millard County, which means acreage and containment numbers are preliminary. They could change quickly as crews refine the fire perimeter. Residents should plan for smoky conditions and possible travel delays on U.S. 50 and rely on local emergency channels for the latest shelter and evacuation instructions.
Fire Weather and Context
Central Utah has been under tightened fire restrictions, and meteorologists have been warning of critical fire-weather conditions this week, a combination that can help fires grow fast. The BLM implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions in central Utah earlier this month, and forecasters flagged particularly dangerous fire weather over parts of the state, conditions that complicate containment efforts, according to Fox Weather.
Officials say firefighter and public safety remain the top priorities and that more updates will be released as information is confirmed. For the latest evacuation, road, and shelter details, residents should monitor Millard County emergency channels and the Utah Fire Info hub.
