The Cottonwood fire in central Utah grew significantly overnight, expanding from approximately 70,000 acres to more than 92,000 acres by Saturday morning. According to the US Forest Service, the blaze was driven by low humidity and strong winds.
As of that Saturday, the National Interagency Fire Center identified the fire as the largest currently burning in the United States, noting a 0% containment level. Hundreds of firefighters worked to suppress the flames, which had scorched an additional 20,000 acres recently.
The fire, which originated Monday in Fishlake National Forest, has resulted in property damage at a ski resort located in Beaver County. While no injuries or casualties were reported, the blaze led to the closure of the national forest.
Residents living northeast of the fire, including those in Marysvale, faced warnings regarding unhealthy air quality caused by smoke. The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City had previously issued a rare red flag warning, signaling a high risk for rapid fire spread and life-threatening conditions.
Jamie Barnes, director of the Utah division of forestry, fire and state lands, stated in a news release that the current conditions were unlike anything seen in recent memory. She noted that fires were spreading farther and faster than historical expectations, with some behaving in ways veteran firefighters had not previously encountered.
The fire season in Utah has been characterized by unprecedented activity, with a state government dashboard recording 380 fires this year, 273 of which were caused by humans. In another area near Eureka, two fires combined to consume about 70,000 acres and prompted evacuations.
In response to the wildfire risks, Governor Spencer Cox implemented temporary statewide restrictions on firework use ahead of the Fourth of July. Officials warned that despite expectations of improved weather, increasing temperatures and wind speeds could still lead to extreme fire behavior.
