Utah's Cottonwood Fire Expands to 144 Square Miles Amid Extreme Weather
A fast-moving wildfire in southern Utah grew to over 144 square miles, prompting evacuations and air-quality warnings as strong winds and low humidity persisted.
A rapidly spreading wildfire dubbed the Cottonwood Fire burned across more than 144 square miles in southern Utah on Saturday, driven by high temperatures, dry winds and single-digit humidity. The blaze forced additional evacuations in communities southwest of Salt Lake City, including Eureka and the Vernon Reservoir area, and led to highway closures.
Air tankers and helicopters were grounded on Friday as gusts reached 45 miles per hour, limiting firefighting options. The U.S. Forest Service said weather conditions were expected to improve slightly but warned that extreme fire behavior could still occur in the afternoon as temperatures and winds rise.
"Weather conditions are slightly better for fire behavior today, but extreme fire behavior may occur in the afternoon as temperatures and wind speeds increase," the Forest Service said in a statement.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported, according to spokesperson Jaclynn Swope. The fire damaged the Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County and prompted campground closures in Fishlake National Forest. Smoke from the blaze darkened the sky in Marysvale, prompting health alerts about poor air quality.
Meteorologist Jason Straub told a community meeting that Utah was experiencing a 48-hour period of critical weather not seen in the past five years. State forester Jamie Barnes noted that the fire’s speed and spread are occurring under conditions that defy historical expectations.
The Cottonwood Fire joins other large blazes in the state, including the Iron and Cherry fires, which together have burned about 91 square miles and are 38% contained. Smoke has drifted eastward, creating haze at distant national parks but not severely impacting air quality at Zion or Bryce Canyon.
Red-flag warnings covering the western United States, from California to New Mexico, reflect the ongoing threat of low humidity and strong winds. Utility companies in Arizona and Utah have issued power-shut-off warnings to reduce wildfire risk.
Tim Brown, director of the Western Regional Climate Center, said the risk of extreme fire behavior will persist while hot, dry, and windy conditions continue across the West, and he expects additional restrictions as the July Fourth weekend approaches.
Governor Spencer Cox extended temporary fireworks restrictions through July 5, noting that most fires this year have been human-caused, and urged residents to avoid personal fireworks.
