Governor Spencer Cox and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz signed an agreement Thursday to commit $18 million toward recovery efforts in Beaver and Millard counties following devastating wildfires and flooding. The funding, split equally between the state and the federal government, is intended to stabilize burned landscapes and repair critical infrastructure damaged by recent natural disasters.
Funding for Regional Recovery
The $18 million partnership consists of $9 million from the U.S. Forest Service and $9 million from the State of Utah, according to a statement from Governor Cox. The funds are designated to address the aftermath of this year's wildfires and flooding, specifically targeting the recovery of ranching and recreation communities.
According to the Governor, the financial commitment will be used to stabilize burned landscapes and reduce the risk of future flooding. Additionally, the funds will support the repair of roads and other critical infrastructure, as well as the restoration of wildlife habitats across the impacted regions.
Site Visits and Ceremonies
The funding announcement occurred during a multi-county site visit on Aug. 6, 2026. The tour, which included local leaders, focused on the response and recovery efforts for the Cottonwood Post-Fire and the active Widemouth 2 Fire.
In Beaver County, the day began with remarks from Governor Cox, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, and Beaver County Commissioner Tammy Pearson. Following these remarks, officials held a formal signing ceremony at the Beaver County Courthouse in the Commission Chambers. The event included a field viewing of post-fire flooding mitigation related to the Cottonwood Fire and a visit to an impacted residence.
Addressing Active Wildfire Risks
The recovery efforts are particularly focused on the Cottonwood Fire and the ongoing Widemouth 2 Fire. While the Cottonwood Fire has transitioned into a mitigation and recovery phase, the Widemouth 2 Fire remains an active wildfire.
During the tour, officials traveled to Kanosh in Millard County for a briefing regarding the Widemouth 2 Fire. The briefing included input from the Incident Commander, Tony Demasters, and various leaders from the State of Utah, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. The visit also included a site visit to the Widemouth 2 Fire area to assess the current conditions.
Local Leadership Involvement
The multi-county tour involved a wide array of local and state officials tasked with managing the regional response. In addition to the commissioners and chiefs, the briefing in Millard County included the Millard County Sheriff, Millard County Commissioners, and Millard County Warden Copeland Anderson.
Local municipal leadership was also present to represent the communities directly affected by the fires. Participants included Mayor Gary Bishop of Meadow City, Mayor Wenda Crabb of Kanosh, and Mayor Curt Hare of Fillmore. These leaders were part of a roundtable briefing and site visits intended to assess the damage and the effectiveness of current response and recovery efforts.
Commitment to First Responders
Governor Cox expressed gratitude to Chief Schultz for traveling to Utah to observe the wildfire damage firsthand. The Governor also extended thanks to the firefighters, first responders, county leaders, and crews working around the clock to manage the ongoing crises.
As the recovery efforts move forward, the partnership between the state and federal governments aims to provide the necessary resources to stabilize the landscape and protect the livelihoods of those in the ranching and recreation sectors who have been impacted by the recent environmental disasters.
