CENTRAL, Utah — Residents of a small town in southern Utah who had to evacuate due to a wildfire are now allowed back in their homes — with one exception.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said the fire in Central began around 4:45 p.m. Sunday.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office Evacuation orders were issued for homes between Center Street and Mule Deer Road, as well as those east of Moutain View Drive. County officials estimated about 200-300 evacuees.
Around 7:30 p.m., the evacuation orders were lifted. However, officials said one family was still displaced from their home after it was damaged in the fire.
The Latter-day Saint church building in Veyo, which is about seven miles south of Central, is being used as a temporary shelter for those displaced.
The public is asked to avoid the area of the fire, near Center Street, and also ordered not to fly drones in the area as doing so would disrupt helicopters dropping water and fire retardant.
The fire was estimated at 15 acres by Utah Forestry, Fire & State Lands officials. However, they said fire crews have stopped the fire’s forward progression. The homes that were once threatened have since been deemed “protected.”