The Widemouth 2 Fire has triggered an evacuation warning for the town of Kanosh and prompted a large-scale closure of the Fishlake National Forest through mid-October to protect public health and safety from extreme fire behavior.
Evacuation Warnings in Kanosh
Extreme fire behavior was reported on July 29, 2026, as the Widemouth 2 Fire burned through central Utah. According to Utah Fire Info, the town of Kanosh was placed under a Level 1: READY evacuation status due to the potential danger posed by the blaze.
This evacuation status, which serves as a warning for residents to be prepared for potential movement, was issued as officials observed intensified activity from the fire throughout that day. The Millard County Sheriff's Office was cited as a primary source for additional information regarding the developing situation.
Forest Service Closure Order
In response to the fire, the Fishlake National Forest issued a formal Forest Order on July 29, 2026, to restrict access to the area. The order, signed by Forest Supervisor Michael Elson, was set to take effect at 5:00 p.m. on the day of issuance and is scheduled to remain in effect until October 15, 2026, unless it is rescinded sooner.
The primary objective of the closure, as stated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to safeguard public health and safety during the active firefighting efforts and the subsequent post-fire containment phase.
Impacted Roads and Trails
The closure affects a significant portion of the Fillmore Ranger District within the Fishlake National Forest. Prohibitions under the order include entering or being in the restricted area, traveling on closed roads, and utilizing closed trails.
Specific roads impacted by the order include 106, 108, 433, 488, 489, 879, 881, 109, 447, 890, 892, 893, 894, 2260, 2261, 2262, 2263, 2257, and 2258. Additionally, several trails are prohibited to the public, including trails 155, 345, 338, 502, 344, 334, 504, and 500.
Geographic Boundaries
The restricted area is bounded by the administrative Forest boundary and Forest Road 106 South along Forest Road 106 to the intersection of Forest Road 106 and Forest Road 108. From there, the boundary moves west along Forest Road 108 to Bull Valley, then west of Forest Trail 338 to the Narrows.
The boundary continues west along Forest Road 108 to the administrative Forest boundary at Dog Valley, before moving north and east along the administrative boundary back to the intersection with Forest Road 106.
Legal Penalties and Exemptions
Violations of the Forest Service order carry significant legal penalties. Under the established regulations, individuals who violate the prohibitions may be punished with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $5,000 and or imprisonment for up to six months.
Organizations found in violation of the order face fines of up to $10,000. Exemptions to the order are limited to persons with a specific Forest Service Permit (No. FS-7700-48) for the use of restricted roads, trails, or areas, as well as federal, state, or local officers and members of organized rescue or firefighting forces performing official duties.
Contact Information
For those seeking more information regarding the Widemouth 2 Fire or the specific terms of the closure order, the Forest Service has directed inquiries to the Fillmore Ranger District Office in Fillmore or the Fishlake National Forest Supervisor's Office in Richfield.
Long-Term Management
The Widemouth 2 Fire has necessitated a long-term management strategy by the U.S. Forest Service, with restrictions expected to remain in place for several months to ensure safety during containment efforts.
