The Cottonwood Fire scorched nearly 7 thousands of acres around Beaver Canyon, prompting Governor Cox to state it could be the most destructive wildfire in state history and the number one fire in the United States.
Beaver Mayor Matt Robinson described seeing the initial smoke plumes on Monday and noted that the intensity of the fire felt like the end of days during its peak activity.
On Thursday, the western flank of the fire remained active with large smoke plumes and flames spreading from the ridgeline. Fire officials expected winds between 25 and 35 miles per hour due to thunderstorms moving through the area.
Alyssa Mason, a public information officer for Great Basin Team 5, stated that much of the fire's growth was occurring on the east side, moving toward the Marysville and Circleville areas. The plan of attack included structure protection operations such as raking, cutting trees to create defensible space, and wrapping buildings in foil.
While the immediate threat was focused on containment, local officials also addressed concerns regarding flood mitigation due to anticipated monsoon rains.
Community members are still working to quantify property losses. While Great Basin Team 5 assembled a structure assessment team on Thursday, there was no immediate word on the total number of damaged or lost structures.
Mayor Robinson expressed the emotional impact on the community, noting that Beaver Mountain is considered sacred ground for local families and vital to local businesses.
