Cottonwood

Here is a detailed situation report on the Cottonwood Fire in Utah.

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Cottonwood Fire ignited on the afternoon of Monday, June 22, 2026, near the mouth of Beaver Canyon, east of Beaver, Utah, along State Route 153 within the Fishlake National Forest area.
Size and Containment: As of Saturday, June 27, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 92,254 acres (over 144 square miles) and remains 0% contained. It is currently the largest active wildfire in the United States.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has experienced explosive, wind-driven growth through dense mountain timber and extremely dry vegetation. It continues to exhibit extreme fire behavior, racing through treetops and generating short- to long-range spotting. The rapid spread has been heavily exacerbated by single-digit humidity levels and sustained southwest winds, with gusts clocking in at 45 miles per hour.
Containment Efforts: A massive multi-agency response is underway, utilizing ground crews, structural protection teams, heavy equipment, and aircraft. Firefighters are focused on protecting structures and establishing containment lines where conditions allow. However, extreme winds have occasionally grounded helicopters and air tankers over the last 72 hours, leaving crews with limited options for direct attack in the difficult terrain.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Eagle Point Resort, Merchant Valley, HiLo Estates, and Arrowhead Summer Homes.
Evacuation Warnings: "Ready" or "Set" warnings have been issued for roughly 1,300 residents in the communities of Circleville, Junction, and Marysvale. Residents should be prepared to leave immediately if conditions worsen.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Evacuees from mandatory zones have been directed to travel east toward Junction.
Estimated Number of People Impacted: Roughly 1,300 residents are directly impacted by evacuation warnings, alongside displaced residents of the mandatory evacuation zones, visitors, and resort staff.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• State Route 153 is closed.
• Several forest roads and large portions of Fishlake National Forest are closed. The forest closure will remain in place until December 31, 2026, unless rescinded.
• Campgrounds within Fishlake National Forest have been forced to close.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info
• Beaver County Emergency Management
• Fishlake National Forest - Alerts & Notices

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities or injuries associated with the Cottonwood Fire.
Structures Impacted: State officials believe dozens of structures have likely been destroyed. The fire severely damaged the Eagle Point ski resort, destroying parts of the property, though some chairlift buildings and lodges remain standing. Hundreds of mountain cabins and secondary homes remain threatened. Governor Spencer Cox noted that this could potentially be one of the most destructive fires in state history.
School and Business Closures: Eagle Point Resort is closed and will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to significant damage.
Notable Impacts: The fire has devastated local agriculture and wildlife, killing countless livestock and likely setting the region's timber industry back several decades.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No widespread power outages have been officially reported, though infrastructure remains threatened.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Governor Spencer Cox has implemented temporary fireworks restrictions statewide through July 5, ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, due to extreme fire danger.
Air Quality: Officials have warned of "unhealthy" air quality conditions northeast of the fire, particularly in the community of Marysvale, where smoke blocked out the sun and ash rained down. The smoke plume has pushed mostly east and is visible for hundreds of miles, reaching as far as Colorado.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire remains 0% contained. Firefighters anticipate continued challenges, as the fire is burning in difficult terrain and weather conditions remain volatile. While the U.S. Forest Service expects slightly improved weather conditions in the mornings, they warn that the afternoons may bring "extreme fire behavior" once more due to increasing temperatures and wind speeds.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a rare Red Flag Warning related to the Cottonwood Fire, indicating a high risk of rapid fire spread and life-threatening conditions. Meteorologists noted a "full 48 hours of critical weather that we have not seen in Utah in the last five years."

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Cottonwood Fire is confirmed to be human-caused, though the exact ignition source remains under investigation. Governor Cox noted that humans have been the cause of most fires in the state so far this year.
Weather and Climate: The fire is being driven by a combination of extreme heat, critical drought conditions, and high-velocity winds. Utah is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season that state forester Jamie Barnes says "defies historical expectations." The destruction follows Utah's warmest winter on record—Salt Lake City averaged nearly 8 degrees above normal—and a record-low snowpack in the Beaver basin, which melted to zero inches by early May, weeks earlier than the previous record. This rapid drying of vegetation has created a landscape highly susceptible to catastrophic, fast-moving wildfires.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info Official Website
• Beaver County Sheriff's Office
• U.S. Forest Service - Fishlake National Forest