Utah Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Utah - July 31, 2026

Overview

Utah is experiencing a historically severe wildfire season that has already outpaced the previous five years combined, with over 357,000 acres burned statewide. The state is facing an elevated fire risk due to a combination of an unusually warm, dry start to the summer, abundant dry vegetation, and periods of summer monsoon lightning. The current National Preparedness Level for the region is 4, indicating National resources are heavily committed.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: There are currently multiple active fires in Utah, and significant wildland fire activity is occurring across multiple geographic areas. Firefighters are working to contain these large-scale incidents while also preparing for potential new starts driven by the hot and dry conditions.

Key Fires:

• Babylon Fire: Located in San Juan County near Blanding and the Bears Ears National Monument, this is currently the largest fire in the state at 107,189 acres and is 95% contained. Managed by a Type 3 Team, the fire has been fueled by an abundance of critically dry desert vegetation and brush.
• Cottonwood Fire: Burning 5 miles east of Beaver in Piute and Beaver counties within the Fishlake National Forest, this massive fire has reached 97,464 acres and is 95% contained. Fueled by tinder-dry vegetation and heavy timber, it has been highly destructive, destroying at least 150 structures.
• Snyder Fire: Located near the Utah-Colorado border in Grand County, this fire burned through 28,264 acres of brush and timber and is now 100% contained.
• Wide Mouth 2 Fire: A rapidly developing fire burning south of Kanosh in Millard County within the Fishlake National Forest. It is currently estimated at 5,926 acres with 15% containment. Because it is actively burning through dry brush and timber near populated areas, the Millard County Sheriff's Office has ordered evacuations in Kanosh, specifically in the areas of Turkey Track Lane and Cemetery Road.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: To mitigate the extreme fire risk, Utah is currently under Stage 2 fire restrictions. This includes all state lands, unincorporated private lands in all 29 counties, BLM-managed public lands, National Park Service lands, and the Fishlake and Manti-La Sal national forests. Under Stage 2 restrictions, no open fires of any kind are permitted. The Dixie National Forest is currently operating under Stage 1 fire restrictions.
Air Quality: Smoke from ongoing active wildfires, including the Wide Mouth 2 and Cottonwood fires, continues to impact local air quality. Residents in affected areas, particularly near Kanosh, Beaver, and surrounding valleys, should be aware of drifting smoke, monitor local air quality indices, and use caution if sensitive to particulate matter.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Conditions remain sunny, hot, and dry across much of the state. Temperatures in the Salt Lake City area and surrounding regions are reaching the mid-to-upper 90s with relative humidity dropping below 20%.
Forecasted Weather: A strong drying and warming trend is expected to continue heading into the weekend. High temperatures are forecast to reach near 100°F to 102°F in some areas, with relative humidity remaining critically low (17-23%). While the National Weather Service has not issued immediate Red Flag Warnings for the major fire perimeters today, the extreme heat and dry air will keep fire danger significantly elevated. Additionally, emergency management officials warn that recent burn scars remain highly unstable, posing an elevated risk of flash flooding and debris flows if sudden monsoon rain events occur.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to strictly adhere to all evacuation orders, particularly in Millard County, and respect current Stage 2 fire restrictions. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place, stay mindful of fire traffic, and clear dead brush from properties to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
Resource Allocation: Firefighters are working under challenging conditions to manage these massive incidents. State and federal agencies are coordinating closely to draw water from reservoirs under emergency authority, utilizing pre-mapped dip sites to ensure aerial and ground crews can respond quickly and efficiently.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Utah Fire Info: www.utahfireinfo.gov
Utah Wildfire Dashboard: utahfireinfo.gov/active-wildfires

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.