Iron

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Iron Fire ignited at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026. It began on private land about 4 miles northwest of Eureka in Juab County, Utah, before rapidly spreading onto surrounding Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and crossing into portions of neighboring Utah and Tooele counties.
Size and Containment: As of June 27, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 40,864 acres (up from the initially reported 40,614 acres) and is currently 38% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has been fueled by critically dry vegetation, single-digit humidity, and gusty, shifting winds. It exhibited explosive growth during its initial days, expanding from 1,000 to over 13,000 acres in less than 24 hours. Fire behavior has been extreme over the last week, characterized by crown runs and up to half-mile spotting ahead of the main fire front.
Containment Efforts: Command of the fire has transitioned to a Complex Incident Management Team. Hundreds of personnel, including over 15 hand crews, multiple engine strike teams, and aviation resources, are assigned to the incident. Over the last 72 hours, firefighters have focused on direct and indirect suppression operations. Crews successfully executed backburn operations on the eastern flank near Pinyon Canyon and the north side of Eureka to protect the town. Firefighters are currently working to strengthen established containment lines and conduct overnight cleanup activities.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: A Level 3 "Go" mandatory evacuation order was previously in place for the entire town of Eureka (impacting roughly 1,000 residents). As of June 25, the evacuation status for the City of Eureka was downgraded to "Set," allowing residents to return home. However, "Go" status remains in place for Chimney Rock Pass and the affected surrounding ranches.
Evacuation Warnings: Residents in Eureka and surrounding areas in Juab and Utah counties remain on "Set" or "Ready" status and are urged to keep go-bags prepared in case fire behavior shifts due to erratic winds.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Evacuation centers were established to assist displaced residents at the Elberta LDS Chapel (15456 S 12800 W St, Elberta, Utah) and the Goshen LDS Chapel (75 S Center St, Goshen, Utah).

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• U.S. Highway 6 between Elberta and Eureka was closed for several days but was officially reopened to traffic on June 26 at 12:00 PM.
• Homansville Road to U.S. Highway 6 was previously closed to accommodate heavy equipment.
• The public is heavily advised to avoid all active fire areas, follow local law enforcement instructions, and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and firefighting crews.

For more information on evacuations and road closures, visit:

• Utah Fire Info Official Website
• Juab County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page
• Eureka City Official Alerts

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported fatalities or severe injuries associated with the Iron Fire.
Structures Impacted: At its peak, the fire threatened over 1,500 structures. Fortunately, due to successful backburn operations and structure protection efforts by ground crews, no primary residential structures or homes have been reported destroyed.
Notable Impacts: The fire forced the complete temporary evacuation of the town of Eureka and disrupted travel along the U.S. Highway 6 corridor.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: With extreme fire conditions persisting, Rocky Mountain Power issued a public safety power shut-off (PSPS) watch/warning for areas of central, southern, and eastern Utah to prevent new ignitions from utility infrastructure.
Air Quality: Smoke from the Iron Fire is significantly impacting air quality across Utah and neighboring states, including Colorado. Residents—especially children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions—are advised to reduce outdoor activities when smoke is present and use air purifiers if possible.
Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions: Extreme fire danger has prompted state officials to elevate restrictions. Utah's Governor has issued executive orders granting authorities the power to restrict or prohibit fireworks displays across the state's municipalities ahead of the July Fourth holiday.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Full containment is estimated for early July. Firefighters anticipate that critical fire weather will continue to test constructed containment lines through the weekend. Crews will remain engaged in direct extinguishment activities along the fire's edge, particularly on the north and east flanks, to ensure the ongoing safety of Eureka and surrounding communities.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through the weekend. The area is facing critical fire weather driven by sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, gusts up to 45 mph, extreme heat, and low humidity. Passing thunderstorms may produce dry lightning and high outflow winds, which could aggressively increase fire behavior and challenge current containment features.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: Authorities have determined the Iron Fire to be human-caused. While it began on private land, the exact circumstances of the ignition remain under active investigation.
Weather and Climate: Extreme weather and climate factors are heavily influencing the fire's explosive behavior. Much of Utah is currently experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions. A widespread heatwave, prolonged dry spells, and single-digit relative humidity have created critically dry vegetation. These conditions, combined with a rebuilding high-pressure ridge and erratic outflow winds, have elevated the national preparedness level to 3 and made suppression efforts highly challenging across the Great Basin.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info
• Watch Duty Wildfire Map
• National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)