The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah grew to more than 144 square miles Saturday, making it the largest wildfire currently burning in the United States as crews faced extreme conditions including 45-mile-per-hour wind gusts and humidity levels in the single digits.
The blaze has severely damaged the Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County and forced evacuations in communities including Marysvale, where smoke blocked out the sun Friday with ash raining down. Air tankers and helicopters were grounded as winds picked up, leaving firefighting crews with few options to slow the flames racing through treetops.
Jaclynn Swope, a spokesperson for the response team, said no injuries or deaths have been reported. The U.S. Forest Service stated that while weather conditions are expected to slightly improve Saturday, extreme fire behavior may still occur in the afternoon as temperatures and wind speeds increase.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices pointed to broader climate patterns driving unprecedented wildfire conditions across the West. Tim Brown, a research professor and director of the Western Regional Regional Climate Center, noted that parts of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico remain mired in persistent drought. He said extreme fire behavior will persist as long as conditions remain hot, dry, and windy.
"We're looking at full 48 hours of critical weather that we have not seen in Utah in the last five years," meteorologist Jason Straub told a community meeting in Beaver County Friday evening, echoing concerns raised by climate researchers about shifting baseline conditions.
Utah State Forester Jamie Barnes acknowledged earlier this week that fires are spreading farther and faster "under conditions that defy historical expectations." Environmental advocates have argued that such conditions underscore the need for sustained investment in fire prevention infrastructure and climate mitigation efforts.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative voices emphasized local response and personal responsibility. Gov. Spencer Cox set temporary fireworks restrictions through July 5 as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, saying "this year is different." The governor's order noted that humans have been the cause of most fires in Utah so far this year.
Some conservative commentators argued that utility safety measures, including public safety power shut-off watches issued by Rocky Mountain Power for central, southern, and eastern Utah through the weekend, represent appropriate local responses to fire risk without federal overreach.
Others pointed to the role of individual vigilance during high-risk periods. Brown advised that as conditions persist, "People really need to be aware of their surroundings if they're going to be out in the forested campground areas and grassland areas."
What the Numbers Show
The Cottonwood Fire has burned more than 144 square miles (373 square kilometers), making it the largest active wildfire in the United States.
Nationally, nearly 3 million acres have burned since the start of the year, pushing the U.S. ahead of the 10-year average for this date, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Two other Utah wildfires — the Iron and Cherry fires — combined overnight and cover approximately 91 square miles (236 square kilometers), with about 38% containment as of Saturday.
Wind gusts reached 45 miles per hour (72 kph) during peak fire conditions. Red flag warnings span from California to southern Arizona and New Mexico, with forecasts predicting winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour (40-56 kph).
The community of Eureka, which falls under evacuation orders southwest of Salt Lake City, has a population under 1,000.
The Bottom Line
Firefighters continue battling multiple large wildfires across Utah as extreme conditions persist. The Cottonwood Fire's growth into the nation's largest active blaze highlights ongoing wildfire challenges in the American West.
With Gov. Cox restricting fireworks through July 5 and power companies monitoring grid safety risks, authorities are asking residents to exercise caution during a holiday weekend that coincides with dangerous fire weather. Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park should download maps and ensure electronic devices are fully charged ahead of Saturday's planned power outage.
The situation remains fluid. The National Interagency Fire Center reported that firefighters are making progress on containing fires from Alaska to Florida, but continued dry conditions across multiple states suggest the 2026 fire season will remain active.