A lightning-sparked wildfire burning 13 miles east of Hamilton has grown to nearly 900 acres and moved to within a half-mile of Skalkaho Highway, prompting fire managers to intensify defensive efforts and urge drivers to avoid the area.

The Nature Grove Fire is burning through steep terrain covered in dense timber and thick understory vegetation, conditions that have allowed the blaze to spread rapidly. Thursday’s winds pushed the fire closer to Highway 38, known as Skalkaho Highway, creating a heightened risk to roadside infrastructure.

Firefighting crews are laying hose lines and establishing fuel breaks in the path of the advance. Focus has shifted to protecting structures along the highway corridor. Fire managers warned that activity is expected to escalate over the next couple of days as the blaze continues to move across challenging ground.

Officials requested that drivers minimize unnecessary trips on Skalkaho Road to keep the roadway clear for emergency personnel and reduce risk to the public in an active fire zone.

Weekend weather may offer some relief. Forecasters predicted thunderstorms bringing cooler temperatures and precipitation, though the storms could also deliver gusty winds and lightning that might reignite new fires or complicate suppression efforts.