Governor Spencer J. Cox and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz will tour fire-impacted areas in Beaver and Millard counties on Thursday to coordinate recovery efforts and address the rapid expansion of the Widemouth 2 Fire. The multi-county site visit includes a formal funding commitment signing in Beaver County and a briefing with wildland fire leadership in Millard County regarding the active blaze that has grown to more than 68,000 acres.
Coordinated Response and Recovery
The scheduled tour on August 6 aims to address both the immediate response to the Widemouth 2 Fire and the long-term recovery needed following the Cottonwood Post-Fire. In Beaver County, officials will gather at the Beaver County Courthouse to sign a formal funding commitment. Following the ceremony, leaders will travel to a canyon to view post-fire flooding mitigation efforts related to the Cottonwood Fire and visit an impacted residence.
Rapid Fire Expansion
The Widemouth 2 Fire, a natural lightning-caused wildfire, has shown extreme behavior since it ignited on July 27, 2026. Located six miles south of Kanosh in the Fishlake National Forest, the fire has grown significantly due to extremely dry juniper and oak fuels. As of August 3, 2026, the fire had expanded to 68,354 acres with 0% containment.
Extreme Fire Behavior
Recent fire activity has been characterized by intense growth and wind-driven runs. According to InciWeb, the fire experienced extreme behavior along its north flank, causing a 10-mile push beyond Meadow toward Fillmore. The blaze grew by more than 30,000 acres in a single 24-hour period leading up to August 3, and officials have noted that the fire did not slow during the evening hours.
Ongoing Containment Efforts
Current containment efforts involve a massive deployment of 373 personnel. Firefighting teams, led by Incident Commanders Troy Morgan, Lucas Yeamans, and Tony Demasters, are working to secure lines and protect structures from Kanosh to Fillmore. Crews are utilizing engines and bulldozers to defend homes and are scouting potential evacuation trigger points as weather conditions remain unstable.
Local Leadership Involvement
The Millard County portion of the tour will include a briefing at the Kanosh Town Hall. Local leaders expected to participate in the discussions include Mayors Gary Bishop of Meadow, Wenda Crabb of Kanosh, and Curt Hare of Fillmore, alongside Millard County Commissioner and Warden Copeland Anderson. The briefing will focus on the staging and response efforts for the Widemouth 2 Fire.
Evacuation and Safety Measures
The Widemouth 2 Fire has presented significant challenges for local law enforcement and emergency services. The Millard County Sheriff's Office has been coordinating evacuations for campers along the east flank of the fire, utilizing Department of Public Safety helicopters to assist in moving residents from Meadow to Fillmore as needed.
Future Outlook
As the fire continues to grow along its north and east flanks, officials have estimated an estimated containment date of August 15, 2026. Residents and officials are cautioned to prepare for unstable weather, including potential rain and muddy conditions in the impacted canyon areas.
