A wildfire threatening more than 1,000 homes in Fillmore has forced the mandatory evacuation of the Millard County Public Safety building and the relocation of 40 state inmates. The uncontained Widemouth 2 Fire prompted the Millard County Sheriff's Office to issue mandatory evacuation orders on Sunday, August 2, 2026, leading to the total closure of several county government offices.
Inmate Relocation Under Fire Threat
The Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) confirmed on Monday that 40 state incarcerated individuals were moved from the Millard County Jail to the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) on Sunday night. The relocation was conducted as a precautionary measure due to the proximity of the Widemouth 2 Fire.
According to the UDC, the transport operation was completed Sunday evening without incident. The individuals relocated are all general population inmates and will remain at the USCF until local conditions are deemed safe. The agency noted that rigorous safety and search protocols were maintained during the transport to ensure secure housing upon arrival at the receiving facility.
Pattern of Wildfire Evacuations
The evacuation of inmates marks the second time in a single month that the UDC has had to move state inmates from a county jail due to wildfire activity. The agency previously relocated inmates from the San Juan County Jail to the USCF on July 3, 2026, during the Babylon Wildfire. Those individuals have since been returned to their original facility.
The UDC credited the successful and secure transport operation to the coordination of multiple agencies. Participating organizations included UDC transportation staff, Adult Probation and Parole agents, the Millard County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Public Safety, Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, Statewide Dispatch, and the Utah Highway Patrol.
Public Safety Building Closure
The Millard County Sheriff's Office issued mandatory evacuation orders on Sunday, August 2, 2026, as the Widemouth 2 Fire continues to pose a direct threat to the community. The fire currently threatens more than 1,000 homes in the Fillmore area.
As a result of the evacuation orders, the Millard County Public Safety building and all offices located within the facility have been closed until further notice. The county has stated that an update regarding the building's status will be shared once the evacuation order has been lifted.
Continuity of Government Services
While the physical Public Safety building is closed, county services are continuing via remote operations. All three county courts and the Clerk's Office have transitioned to teleworking during the closure.
The Millard County Sheriff's Office remains reachable by phone for residents. For legal and administrative matters, the county has provided specific contact information for several departments:
- The Attorney's Office is available via email at mcaofill@gmail.com.
- The Clerk's Office can be reached at mrowley@millardcounty.gov.
- The District Court is operating via fillmoreinfo@utcourts.gov.
- The Justice Court is reachable at jcmillard@utcourts.gov.
- The Juvenile Court is reachable at 4thjuvfillmore@utcourt.gov.
For emergencies, the Sheriff's Office advises residents to dial 911.
Ongoing Fire Threat
The Widemouth 2 Fire remains uncontained, and the threat to the Fillmore area persists. Residents are advised to monitor local updates for changes to the evacuation status and the reopening of county facilities.
Emergency Coordination Efforts
The Millard County Sheriff's Office and the Utah Department of Corrections continue to coordinate efforts to ensure the safety of residents and the security of incarcerated individuals as the wildfire situation evolves.
