Update (April 26 at 4:30 p.m.):
The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety reported Saturday that upward of 80% of residents in the evacuation zones can safely return to their homes.
“Residents have received detailed travel guidance to access their properties,” Cumberland County Director of Public Safety Robert Shively Jr said. “We want to reassure the community that structural firefighting crews and equipment will remain on site near their homes as a precaution to help ensure everyone's safety.”
According to an update from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this afternoon, last night's rain did help to moderate the Thompson Hollow and Hammonds Rocks wildfires, but did not extinguish them.
As of this morning, the acreage of the Thompson Hollow fire has risen to over 2300 acres, while the smaller Hammonds Rocks fire has consumed around 470 acres.
Some of that acreage increase has been due to controlled burns around the perimeter of the fire to create a firebreak.
According to DCNR’s update, fire crews worked through the night and continued to battle both fires on Saturday. Improving weather conditions have helped slow the spread of the fire.
The fires remain confined to the state forestland, and no structures are currently in danger.
High winds and dead trees remain of concern to authorities, as they can spread embers across firebreaks.
Update (April 25 at 4 p.m.):
As of Friday afternoon, the two wildfires have burned in excess of 1300 acres in Michaux State Forest, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry.
Now referred to as the Thompson Hollow and Hammonds Rocks fires, the two blazes remain at 0% containment as firefighters from across the region seek to stop the spread.
A view of the Michaux State Forest wildfire as of 11 p.m. on April 24.
The Thompson Hollow fire began Wednesday night, while the Hammond Rocks fire started around noon on Thursday.
According to Shippensburg mayor Kathy Coy, no homes have been destroyed by the fires nor have any fire personnel reported injuries.
With rain in the forecast for Friday evening, Coy hopes that the wildfire's progress will be slowed.
Roadblocks remain in effect around the area, and motorists should be cautious of other drivers parked alongside the road and of emergency vehicles.
Fire companies from around Central Pennsylvania have responded to the fire. Among them were fire police from East Pennsboro Township, who were manning a roadblock on Whitmer Road. Several emergency vehicles from St. Thomas Volunteer Fire & Rescue responded Thursday afternoon as well.
Shippensburg University released a statement to the campus community, saying that the university continues to monitor the wildfire. The university’s email said that their emergency response team is in continuous contact with the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and local fire companies.
"Officials confirm that there is no imminent threat to the campus or surrounding neighborhoods. Campus operations, classes, athletic competitions, and other university business continues without interruption," the university statement said.
A chain of wildfires on South Mountain, just miles south of Shippensburg, have prompted authorities to issue an evacuation notice in Southampton Township.
Residents near Thompson Hollow Road and Three Turn road have been requested to evacuate to a base camp at 2460 Shippensburg Road.
Roadblocks have been set up at the intersection of Baltimore Road and Whitmer Road, as well as Shippensburg Road and Pine Grove Road.
The public has been asked to avoid the area for their safety as well as the safety of the firefighters battling the blaze.
The fire, located near the intersection of Thompson Hollow Road and Shippensburg Road, began around 5 p.m. Wednesday evening and has consumed over 200 acres.
"Fire behavior is expected to increase in intensity throughout the day," Michaux State Forest officials said Thursday morning. “Fire operations and road closures are expected to continue into the weekend.”
Two other wildfires rage on South Mountain. One fire near Hammonds Rocks in Dickinson Township has triggered Kings Gap Environmental Education Center to close early.
According to Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, firefighting helicopters have been using Laurel Lake to fill their buckets. As of 4 p.m. Thursday night, they reported that at least 15 bucket-loads had been used to fight the fires.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
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