Cottonwood Fire

Extreme heat, drought, and dangerous fire weather are increasing wildfire risks across the U.S. West for the July 4 weekend, leading to fireworks restrictions and mandatory evacuations in Utah and Colorado. Wildfire activity is well above average, with over 157% of the 10-year average acreage burned by June 30, driven by climate change factors like prolonged drought and rising temperatures.

A wildfire southwest of Denver has forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed over 160 structures. The Aspen Acres fire, fueled by dry weather, expanded to nearly 105 square miles with zero containment, prompting evacuations in Colorado City, Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel. Firefighters used water from the Pueblo Reservoir, and 50 National Guard soldiers were deployed to assist with checkpoints.

A wildfire southwest of Denver has forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed over 160 structures, expanding to nearly 105 square miles with zero containment. The Aspen Acres fire, fueled by dry weather, impacted towns like Colorado City, Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel, with 50 National Guard soldiers assisting in checkpoints and water-scooping operations. Other significant fires include the Snyder Fire, Cottonwood fire, and Babylon fire in the West.

A wildfire southwest of Denver, known as the Aspen Acres fire, has forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed over 160 structures. The fire, fueled by dry weather and erratic winds, expanded to 105 square miles with zero containment, prompting evacuations in Colorado City, Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel. The National Guard assisted with checkpoints and water-scooping operations at the Pueblo Reservoir.

The Cottonwood Fire caused part of Eagle Point Resort in southern Utah to close, leading to an evacuation. Samantha Garcia, the resort's marketing director, discussed the situation with CBS News.

Three federal wildland firefighters, including Emily Barker of Michigan, died in a burnover incident while battling merged fires near the Utah-Colorado border. The National Federation of Federal Employees and advocacy groups raised concerns about safety, staffing shortages, and escalating fire risks during the early phase of the 2026 wildfire season.

Wildfires in the American West turned deadly over the weekend, killing three elite federal firefighters. The largest fire, the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, could be the most destructive in the state's history according to the governor, as thousands respond to nearly 100 fires.

The article discusses wildfires in Colorado and other Western states, highlighting a helicopter dropping water on the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver, Utah.

Three firefighters were killed and two injured during a burnover incident while battling the Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border. The firefighters, employed by the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service, were part of an interagency response to merged wildfires covering 44 square miles. High temperatures and strong winds exacerbated the fire's rapid spread.

Three firefighters were killed and two injured while battling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border, where hot and windy conditions caused flames to overtake them during a burnover. The incident occurred during efforts to contain the merged Knowles, Gore, and Snyder fires, which have burned over 44 square miles. Additional wildfires, including the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, are intensifying due to extreme weather.

Three firefighters died as wildfires caused destruction in Utah and Colorado. A helicopter was used to drop water on the Cottonwood fire near Beaver, Utah.

Three firefighters were killed and two injured while battling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border, with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service reporting the incident involving the Knowles and Gore fires. The western U.S. faces intensified wildfire activity, including the large Cottonwood Fire in Utah, amid record-low snowpack and severe drought conditions.

Three firefighters died as wildfires spread across Utah and Colorado. A helicopter was deployed to combat the Cottonwood fire near Beaver, Utah.

Three firefighters died battling the Snyder Mesa Fire along the Colorado-Utah border, as wildfires rage across the Southwest. Utah imposed fireworks restrictions for the Fourth of July due to extreme fire conditions, with the Cottonwood Fire becoming the state's largest active blaze.

Three firefighters were killed and two injured while battling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border. The incident occurred during efforts to contain the Knowles and Gore fires, with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service expressing grief over the loss.

Dry, windy conditions have fueled explosive wildfire growth across the western US, with the Cottonwood Fire in Utah expanding to over 144 square miles, destroying parts of a ski resort and cabins. Hundreds of firefighters are battling blazes exacerbated by record-low snowpack and historic drought, prompting Utah's governor to declare an emergency and ban fireworks.

Wildfires have rapidly expanded across the western U.S. due to dry, windy conditions, with the Cottonwood Fire in Utah growing to over 144 square miles. Authorities face challenges in containment due to rugged terrain and critical fire weather, while states like Utah and Arizona report increased fire activity and evacuation orders.

Wildfire activity has intensified across the western US due to hot, dry, and windy conditions, with the Cottonwood Fire in Utah growing to over 144 square miles. Governor Spencer Cox declared an emergency as record-low snowpack and historic drought exacerbate the crisis, while hundreds of firefighters battle blazes in challenging terrain. National Interagency Fire Center reports over 3 million acres burned this year, exceeding the 10-year average.

The fast-moving Cottonwood Fire in Utah is blackening more forestland, with its smoke visible from Bryce Canyon National Park and Colorado. The fire's impact is notable due to its rapid spread and the extensive visibility of its smoke column.

The Cottonwood Fire in Utah, now the largest in the US, is rapidly spreading through canyons and mountains, damaging the Eagle Point ski resort and closing public lands. Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared an emergency as the state faces one of its worst wildfire seasons, with extreme fire weather conditions and human-caused fires contributing to the crisis.

The Cottonwood fire in Utah's Fishlake National Forest has grown to 92,000 acres, driven by strong winds and low humidity. Firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze, which is now the largest fire in the US and remains 0% contained.

The Cottonwood fire in Utah's Fishlake National Forest has grown to 92,000 acres due to strong winds and low humidity, becoming the largest active wildfire in the US. Firefighters report 0% containment, with the blaze intensifying overnight by an additional 20,000 acres.

Wildfires are causing 'extremely critical' conditions in the Southwest as officials issue warnings. A firefighting helicopter is responding to the fast-moving Cottonwood Fire near Piute Reservoir.

A fast-moving wildfire in Utah, the largest in the U.S., spread overnight due to heat and dry winds, forcing evacuations and damaging areas like the Eagle Point ski resort. The Cottonwood Fire, now over 144 square miles, was exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, with air tankers grounded and communities ordered to evacuate. Officials reported no injuries or deaths, but warned of critical weather and ongoing fire containment challenges.

A fast-moving wildfire in Utah, the largest in the US, spread overnight due to heat and dry winds, forcing evacuations and damaging the Eagle Point ski resort. The Cottonwood Fire, covering over 144 square miles, caused unhealthy air quality in areas like Marysvale and led to highway closures. Officials noted extreme weather conditions and warned of continued critical fire behavior.

Dangerous weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, are fueling a fast-moving wildfire in Utah, forcing an emergency declaration and fireworks ban. Firefighters face extreme challenges as the Cottonwood Fire, the largest blaze in the U.S., spreads rapidly, damaging the Eagle Point ski resort and prompting evacuations. Red flag warnings cover much of the western U.S., with critical weather conditions expected to persist.

Dangerous weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, are hampering firefighting efforts for the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, the largest wildfire currently burning in the U.S. The fire has grown to over 112 square miles, damaged the Eagle Point ski resort, and forced evacuations. Fireworks bans and red flag warnings have been issued across the western U.S. due to the heightened risk of wildfires.

Dangerous weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, are hampering firefighting efforts for the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, the largest wildfire in the U.S., which has burned over 112 square miles and damaged the Eagle Point ski resort. Firefighters face unprecedented challenges as red flag warnings span from Idaho to New Mexico, with critical weather expected to persist for 48 hours.

Dangerous weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, are fueling the fast-moving Cottonwood Fire in Utah, leading to emergency declarations and fireworks bans. Firefighters face unprecedented challenges as the blaze, now over 112 square miles, damages infrastructure and forces evacuations.

Dangerous weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, are fueling a fast-moving wildfire in Utah, prompting the governor to declare an emergency and restrict fireworks. Firefighters face extreme challenges as the Cottonwood Fire, the largest blaze in the U.S., spreads rapidly through treetops and forces evacuations.

Dangerous weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, are fueling the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, the largest wildfire currently burning in the U.S., forcing the governor to declare an emergency and restrict fireworks. The fire has grown to over 112 square miles, damaged the Eagle Point ski resort, and prompted evacuations, with meteorologists warning of unprecedented critical weather conditions not seen in Utah in five years.

Utah declared a state of emergency and restricted fireworks as the Cottonwood Fire, the largest wildfire in the U.S., expanded to over 112 square miles in southern Utah, causing evacuations and damaging the Eagle Point ski resort. High winds and dry conditions fueled extreme fire behavior, with smoke affecting areas like Bryce Canyon, while residents in Marysvale and other towns faced potential evacuation notices.

Utah restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency as the Cottonwood Fire, the largest U.S. wildfire, grew to over 112 square miles in southern Utah. The fire forced evacuations, damaged the Eagle Point ski resort, and prompted rare weather alerts for extreme fire danger.

Utah's governor restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency as the uncontained Cottonwood Fire, the nation's largest wildfire, grew to 111 square miles, forcing evacuations and damaging the Eagle Point ski resort. Extreme weather conditions, including high winds and drought, fueled rapid fire spread, prompting rare warnings from the National Weather Service.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency as the Cottonwood Fire, the nation's largest wildfire, grew to 111 square miles and remained uncontained. The fire damaged the Eagle Point ski resort, forced evacuations, and was fueled by extreme drought and weather conditions. The National Weather Service issued rare warnings for rapid fire growth, with additional wildfires and power shutoffs affecting central and southern Utah.