Utah National Guard aviation crews are supporting firefighting efforts against the Rocky Canyon Fire in Morgan County by conducting water bucket drops to slow the blaze's spread, according to the U.S. Army. The aerial support comes as Summit County officials manage emergency evacuation orders and community meetings for residents impacted by the fire.
National Guard Aviation Support
The 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion has deployed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to assist local and government agencies in suppressing the fire. Lt. Col. Penny McCarthy, commander of the 2-211th GSAB, stated that the unit has two Black Hawks, along with aircrew members and support personnel, assisting with fire suppression activities on the Rocky Canyon Fire.
According to the U.S. Army, the battalion began providing wildfire support on Aug. 5, 2026, after being notified to assist with the Black Canyon Fire in Sanpete County. Following several days of operation, the mission shifted to support the Rocky Canyon Fire in Morgan County.
Pilots and aircrews are working approximately 12-hour shifts to maintain operations. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chris Aylstock, a pilot supporting the mission in Morgan County, noted that pilots sometimes spend seven to eight hours in the air during a single shift. The mission involves flying out, refueling, receiving launch orders, and conducting multiple flights over the fire.
Evacuation Orders and Statuses
Summit County officials issued critical evacuation orders as the fire moved through the region. On Aug. 10, 2026, at 4:32 PM, Summit County officials declared an immediate evacuation for the area west of Main St. between East Canyon Road and South Henefer Road.
Prior to this, on Aug. 9, 2026, at 3:26 PM, a West Henefer evacuation order was issued for all residences between Hog Back Summit and West Henefer Road. During that same evening, the county reported that residents between Hog Back Summit and West Henefer Road were in 'GO' status, while the remainder of Henefer was placed in 'READY' status.
By 9:30 PM on Aug. 9, 2026, the evacuation summary indicated that the Summit County Line at Hog Back Summit to West Henefer Road was under 'GO' mode, while residents in the remainder of Henefer were required to be packed and highly alert to leave at a moment's notice.
Emergency Shelters and Preparations
As the fire intensified, Summit County officials opened temporary shelters to assist displaced residents. On Aug. 9, 2026, a shelter was established at the Henefer LDS Chapel located at 709 N. Main St. in Henefer.
By Aug. 10, 2026, a temporary shelter had been opened at the LDS Chapel at 40 N Main St. in Coalville to serve those impacted by the fire. Officials advised residents in 'SET' or 'READY' status to prepare emergency go-bags containing essential medications, identification, and important financial or legal documents.
Community Meetings and Communication
Summit County officials have held community meetings to provide updates to residents impacted by the fire. On Aug. 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM, an in-person community meeting was held at the North Summit High School Auditorium at 111 East 100 South in Coalville. The meeting allowed for breakout discussions with officials following the presentation.
Earlier, a community meeting scheduled for Aug. 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Henefer LDS Church was cancelled due to dynamic changes with the fire in the late afternoon. Officials noted that the cancellation was intended to focus efforts on immediate evacuation and operational needs, though they acknowledged the difficulty in communicating the cancellation to online and in-person attendees.
Statewide Wildfire Response
The Utah National Guard is activated through the state Department of Emergency Management and the governor’s office when local authorities request assistance. Lt. Col. Penny McCarthy stated that the Guard stands ready to support the state when these types of incidents occur.
In addition to the Rocky Canyon Fire, the 2-211th GSAB was initially tasked with assisting with the Black Canyon Fire in Sanpete County before shifting resources to Morgan County. The deployment highlights the use of specialized aviation capabilities to assist local agencies as wildfires continue to impact various communities across the state.
Ongoing Monitoring
As of Aug. 10, 2026, Summit County officials advised residents in the area south of Franklin Canyon to Icy Springs/Wohali Way to remain in 'SET' status, meaning they should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Officials emphasized that this was not an evacuation order but a request for residents to load vehicles with essentials and monitor official information via Summit County and Utah Fire Info.
Current Fire Status
The Rocky Canyon Fire continues to impact the region, with emergency responders and National Guard aviation crews working to mitigate the spread. Residents are encouraged to keep wireless emergency alerts active on their phones to receive the fastest updates in the event of overnight developments.
