Cherry

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Cherry Fire ignited around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, near Weiss Highway and Cherry Creek in Juab County, Utah. It subsequently merged with the nearby Maple Peak Fire, which had started the night before.
Size and Containment: As of July 2, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 34,252 acres and is currently 69% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Burning primarily through grass, sagebrush, and scattered juniper, the fire expanded rapidly under extreme fire weather conditions. Driven by 40 to 50 mph winds, single-digit humidity, and extremely dry desert fuels, the fire exhibited extreme behavior, making an 11-mile run and growing to over 30,000 acres in a single afternoon.
Containment Efforts: The response is being managed by the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 3 alongside local and state crews. Firefighters are currently taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to establish containment lines and conduct firing operations near the south end of the fire. Resources are being shifted to the Cherry Fire from other nearby contained fires, and efforts in secured areas are transitioning to suppression repair. Furthermore, FEMA authorized a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to cover 75% of the state's eligible firefighting costs.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Mandatory Level 3 "Go" evacuation orders have been issued for the communities of Mammoth, Silver City, Eureka, and Tintic Junction.
Evacuation Warnings: The areas surrounding Vernon Reservoir and Lofgreen have been placed in a "Set" status (evacuation warning).
Curfew: No specific curfews have been reported for the evacuation zones at this time.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Shelters have been established at the Elberta LDS Chapel (15456 S 12800 W St, Elberta), the Goshen LDS Chapel (75 S Center St, Goshen), and the Vernon LDS Church (280 Main St, Vernon). Evacuees were instructed by law enforcement to travel east on Highway 6 or south toward Delta.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Highway 6 is closed west of Eureka and at the Highway 6 Intersection.
• Highway 36 is closed south of Vernon.
• Old Highway 148 (Route 1812).
• Hiskey Road, Cherry Creek Road, Elberta Slant Road, and Chimney Rock Pass Road.
• Area Closure: All Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed lands in Juab and Tooele counties west of Highway 6, extending north to Highway 36 and south along the USFS boundary, are closed. The Cherry Creek area is strictly closed to the public.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info
• Juab County Sheriff's Office
• InciWeb - Incident Information System

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Cherry Fire.
Structures Impacted: The fire initially threatened approximately 400 homes and a major watershed. While extreme fire behavior prompted immediate evacuations and threatened communities, there are no confirmed reports of widespread residential structures destroyed by the Cherry Fire at this time.
School and Business Closures: No specific school closures have been reported as the fire is occurring during the summer break, but local businesses in evacuated towns like Eureka have been temporarily closed and impacted by the evacuation orders.
Notable Impacts: A state of emergency was declared in Utah County due to the escalating fire situation. The fire also forced the emergency evacuation of several campsites and RVs in the area.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: The fire resulted in a significant power outage affecting approximately 10,000 people after power was shut off from Vernon to State Route 36, where the fire overtook the highway.
Water Safety: The fire has threatened a major local watershed; residents should monitor local advisories regarding water quality and conservation.
Burn Bans: A temporary statewide fireworks ban is in effect in Utah ahead of the July Fourth holiday due to extreme fire danger and resource strain.
Air Quality: Firing operations and active burning are producing visible smoke, particularly near the south end of the fire. Residents in surrounding areas should limit outdoor exposure if sensitive to smoke.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With the fire now at 69% containment, officials project continued progress over the coming days. Firefighters are utilizing cooler temperatures and higher humidity to reinforce containment lines and monitor for residual heat, particularly in juniper fuels. Portions of the fire are already entering a patrol and suppression repair status.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The area previously faced a historic "Particularly Dangerous Situation" (Risk Level 4 - Extreme) Red Flag Warning. However, current forecasts for Juab County indicate a meaningful change with cooler temperatures (60s to 80s), higher humidity, and lighter winds, alongside a 10-20% chance of rain over the next few days, providing highly favorable conditions for firefighters to make progress.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Cherry Fire merged with the Maple Peak Fire, which officials determined was ignited by a lightning strike.
Weather and Climate: The fire's explosive initial growth was fueled by severe fire weather, including 40 to 50 mph winds, single-digit humidity, and extremely dry desert vegetation. 2026 has been noted as Utah's busiest wildfire year since 2020, with extreme climate patterns, ongoing drought stress on fuels, and early snowmelt contributing to highly volatile fire conditions across the state.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info
• Juab County Sheriff's Office
• InciWeb - Incident Information System