Willard Peak Fire activity 'greatly reduced,' evacuations remain in effect.

Willard Peak

Fire crews at Willard Peak, Utah, report a significant reduction in fire activity following a period of intense winds and evacuations. Electricity has been restored to affected areas, and no homes have been reported lost, though firefighters remain on alert for any potential hotspots.

The American Red Cross and local volunteers continue to support displaced residents, with families staying at shelters and receiving food and water. While the immediate threat has lessened, authorities are maintaining evacuations and a strong firefighting presence to ensure community safety.

Willard Peak Fire activity reduced, evacuations remain in effect

because last night it was amazing how this community has come together and all the volunteers and donations that showed up have just been amazing. It's exciting to see that. You know, it's the whole reason behind the Red Cross and the community partnerships that we have is it's people helping people. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Bob Evans. What a difference 24 hours make. At this time yesterday, the Willard Peak Fire was on the run. Evacuations in North Ogden were just getting started. Electricity was cut to tens of thousands of Rocky Mountain customers and crews were looking forward to a full night of trying to keep the flames from destroying people's homes. Today, it's a much different story. The winds have been calm most of the day. The fire has quieted down considerably and now they're talking about lifting evacuations. Fox 13 News anchor Max Ruff joins us live from North Ogden. And Max, at this time yesterday, you and I were walking viewers through what was happening in your old neighborhood. How does it look to you today? You know, Bob, things actually look very good. It's been all good news all day today after that tough and tense night. Most of this metro area out of power in that terrible heat we had yesterday until nine o'clock last night, most of the power came back on. And as of now, they say it is all back. Residents back in, no structures burned. And the reason that they're still here in some force and they are here is they want it to stay that way. Still an active scene. Hand crews heading up the mountain. The trucks have the easy terrain, not much farther and it's hands and feet scrambling uphill. Fire apparatus positioned to protect homes if it's necessary. But as it pushes from, the winds push from the North Ogden Divide to the west and to the north tonight, we still have potential for it to make a north-northwest run. We have the most amazing community up here. At the base, the Red Cross table, food and water for firefighters just keeps coming. I know, look at all these people. My husband called and said, is there a fire on the mountain? And I looked out the window and I was like, oh my gosh. Allie Childs lives across the street. She and her kids brought bags of ice. Did you see the fire? Yes, I saw it. And they just said it was fine, so we just chilled. Yeah, they were chilling on the grass. Over it all, helicopters circle. Dropping water where spotters say it's most needed, sweeping back to the small reservoir. They let me walk far enough to see it. They dunk what looks like a pumpkin trick-or-treat bucket, but much bigger till it's full. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I walked the easy part for a few minutes and it was hot. Imagine the crews with their gear. We are in red flag conditions with some of the most extreme drought we've had in a long time here in Utah. A Forest Service Type 3 team helps organize efforts. They're busy working more remote and persistent high elevation forest fires and fires that appear sudden, moving fast, like this so close to homes. The fires here burn more quickly and faster because the vegetation is smaller. But in that heavier timber, it burns longer, just like if you put small weeds on a fire, it will burn fast. But if you put a big log on the fire, it burns a lot more slowly. So that's why this fire was so spectacular in all the wrong ways yesterday. And it really was, there were scary times, both when it started and also last night as the winds started pushing it down. Right now, there's not that level of urgency. As night arrives, the crews here are waiting to see if there are any hotspots up on that hill, ready to ignite, just hiding, waiting for the right wind, which is the wrong wind for us. It's a remote possibility, but this is the northern point of the Wasatch Front. You don't take chances next to a major metro area. Now, the North Ogden community was relying heavily on the American Red Cross overnight and all day today. That, of course, means Utah volunteers doing a lot of work. The Red Cross tells us eight families, including their pets, spent the night at the Pleasant View Shelter. And we talked to a family grateful to have a warm place to stay. Very stressful. Just power's off. I have to grab everything that's important, clear out my car, take it here. Dog's kind of unfamiliar with everything, but she's been doing good. All right, and you saw all those people in my story that were preparing the food, getting it ready. Those folks were all volunteering here also at the Red Cross table to get food and water. They say they'll remain on the scene. They're offering help and information to those who need it as the fire continues to be a possible danger along with the family shelter. They've been providing food and water here.

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