Firefighters managing the Cottonwood Fire in the Fishlake National Forest are contending with a rapidly changing landscape as recent heavy rains and localized flooding move through Beaver and Piute counties. While containment levels reached 77% by mid-July, officials continue to monitor impacts from monsoonal moisture that has triggered flooding along Highway 89 and near City Creek Road.
Firefighting Resources and Containment
The incident, which began on June 22, 2026, has grown to encompass approximately 97,373 acres within the Fishlake National Forest. According to an InciWeb daily update from July 12, 2026, high winds and dry conditions previously drove increased fire activity in pockets of unburned fuel. To combat this spread, helitack personnel were deployed into rugged terrain near Kents Lake, while aircraft utilized retardant drops in the Pine Creek area to establish containment lines.
As of July 12, 2026, the fire suppression effort utilized a massive deployment of resources, including 1,040 total personnel, 22 crews, and 37 engines. The aerial component of the response included 12 helicopters and two Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). InciWeb reported that the use of drones was critical for supporting crews in rugged areas by identifying specific locations that required additional intervention.
The management of the fire has also undergone a formal transition. The U.S. Forest Service - Fishlake National Forest announced in an operational briefing on July 7, 2026, that Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5 (GB Team 5) would conclude its command. Starting at 7 a.m. on July 8, 2026, Great Basin Team 4 assumed responsibility for the incident's strategy and tactics.
Recent weather patterns have introduced significant hydrological challenges to the fire perimeter. On July 16, 2026, the U.S. Forest Service - Fishlake National Forest reported that flooding was observed in Piute County during the afternoon. Specifically, footage captured along Cottonwood Creek near Highway 89 at approximately 4:30 p.m. highlighted the immediate impact of summer storms on the area.
The flooding has impacted critical infrastructure and access routes. On July 15, 2026, drone footage captured by the U.S. Forest Service showed flooding along City Creek Road near the junction of Highway 153, illustrating the volatile conditions facing ground crews. Additionally, InciWeb reported that State Highway 153 remained closed from Beaver to Junction between mileposts 3 and 35.
To manage the risks associated with both fire and flood, authorities have implemented strict access controls. On July 12, 2026, the Beaver County Sheriff and Piute County Sheriff issued permits for restricted access to property owners specifically in the LeBaron and Arrowhead areas. Residents were required to check out at the Beaver Search and Rescue building or the Piute High School parking lot before 2 p.m. to avoid interfering with suppression actions.
The scope of closures extends beyond the immediate fire perimeter. The Fishlake National Forest has maintained a large area closure involving various roads and trails, while the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) closed all managed lands west of Highway 89 between Bullion Canyon Road in Marysvale and the southern Piute County border. Evacuations have remained in effect for several communities, including Hi-Lo Estates, Upper Kents Lake, Merchant Valley, and Eagle Point.
