State agency thanks locals for efforts on Hill Top fire

The Hill Top fire in Sanpete County is 100% contained, and a State Forestry, Fire and Lands representative had nothing but praise for local firefighters and law enforcement with regard to their help during the fire.  Leann Fox, Communications and Prevention Coordinator, thanked local firefighters, the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office, and Sanpete Search and Rescue members for their quick action during the initial phase of fighting the fire.  Originally reported as a 50-acre blaze southeast of Indianola on August 6, the fire quickly grew to over 1,000 acres, leading to evacuations in Black Hawk Estates and Milburn.  Sheriff Brian Nielson called in deputies from their day off to help approximately 40 Search and Rescue members pass out evacuation orders to residents, and a local contractor provided a bulldozer to begin creating a fire break.  Additionally, every fire department in the county participated in some way during the fire suppression.  She praised Sanpete Fire Warden Tom Peterson for the years he has spent preparing local firefighters to fight wildland fires.  She also mentioned local business, including Tractor Supply in Ephraim, Aloha Joe’s, and AMPHT-UP, that provided food and water for those involved, as well as allowing employees time off to fight the fire.