The Millcreek Fire that sent smoke drifting toward Park City and Summit County on Monday, Aug. 3, is out. Fire officials confirmed the 15-acre blaze was fully extinguished Wednesday, Aug. 5, with no structures lost and no evacuations ordered.

The fire ignited near Tanner Park and Parleys Historic Nature Park in steep terrain along Interstate 80, near the I-80 and I-215 interchange at the mouth of Parleys Canyon. Structures were initially threatened, but ground crews and aircraft from multiple agencies gained control before any were damaged, according to TownLift and ABC4 reporting.

As we reported Aug. 4, the fire prompted an I-80 ramp closure and warnings that shifting winds could push smoke into Park City and Summit County. Those traffic impacts through Parleys Canyon have since been resolved.

Unified Fire Authority was the primary responding agency, with Salt Lake City Fire Department assisting at the scene.

Kestrel rescue

The firefight also produced an unexpected wildlife rescue. Salt Lake City Fire Department crews from Station 3, C Platoon discovered two juvenile kestrel falcons that had become separated from their parents during operations Monday evening. Firefighters moved the young birds to a safe location away from smoke and flames and cared for them while the parent kestrels searched nearby.

After the juveniles had time to recover, both birds hopped up and flew back to their parents, according to Salt Lake City Fire.

The department posted about the rescue on Aug. 4. Fox 13 reported the department said it was grateful to play a small part in reuniting the bird family.

The fire burned approximately 15 acres of dry vegetation before it was stopped. No follow-up actions or community meetings related to the incident have been announced.