Wikipedia

Cottonwood Fire (Utah, 2026)

The Cottonwood Fire is a large, fast moving, and destructive wildfire burning in Piute and Beaver counties, Utah, 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Beaver. The fire ignited due to a still unknown cause on June 22, 2026 and rapidly spread, surpassing 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) in its first day, and over 60,000 acres (24,000 ha) on June 24. As of July 12, the fire has burned 97,313 acres (39,381 ha), is 77% contained, and has destroyed at least 150 structures. The fire is also the 6th largest in the state's history.[1]

Cottonwood Fire
Part of the 2026 Utah wildfires
The Cottonwood Fire on June 24
Date
  • June 22, 2026 – present
Location5 miles (8.0 km) east of Beaver, Utah
Statistics
Perimeter77% contained
Burned area97,313 acres (39,381 ha)
Impacts
Deaths0
Injuries0
Evacuated450+
Structures destroyed≥150
Cost>$20 million (suppression efforts)
Ignition
CauseUnder investigation, potentially human caused
Map
Map
Perimeter map of the Cottonwood Fire, map may not be up to date (map data)

Cause

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Resources were sent to respond to a vegetation fire by 12:09 pm[2] that started near Cottonwood Campground.[3] While the specific cause is under investigation, officials have determined the fire is not naturally caused and is of human origin.[4]

Progression

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A Wireless Emergency Alert was sent to residents in the mountain cabin community of HiLo by Beaver County, advising residents to evacuate, with the message issued by 12:14 pm. State Route 153 was closed and the fire was reported at 50 acres (20 ha). Evacuations were ordered for HiLo and Eagle Point Resort.[2] Multiple aerial and ground resources were responding to the fire.[5] The fire had grown to at least 750 acres (300 ha) by 7 pm and at 7:30 pm, evacuation notices were expanded to include Merchant Valley. Merchant Valley residents were ordered to evacuate at 9 pm and Utah Fire Info reported the Cottonwood Fire to be 4,000 acres (1,600 ha).[6] Arrowhead Summer Homes was added to the evacuation order area as the fire grew to 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) that night and continuing to grow all night.[5] The fire was to 24,100 acres (9,800 ha) by the next morning.[2][7] 160 structures were threatened.[8] The Cottonwood Fire began producing several pyrocumulonimbus clouds as it was growing[9] The wildfire surpassed to 27,000 acres (11,000 ha)[3] and soon 31,000 acres (13,000 ha).[2]

By June 24, the fire had reached about 61,000 acres (25,000 ha). A particularly dangerous situation was issued by the National Weather Service Salt Lake City for five counties, including the area of the active Cottonwood Fire.[10] The fire was then confirmed number one priority in Utah with crews focused on protecting Circleville. Marysvale was placed in a level one "ready" evacuation status.[11] Officials confirmed Eagle Point Resort was heavily damaged by the fire, as it had "tore through many condos and cabins" with many structures destroyed in the general area. A security camera video from a house showed the fire actively burning down the resort.[12][13][14]

Circleville and Junction were placed under a level one "ready" evacuation status the next day.[15] That afternoon, aerial operations were temporarily suspended due to significant smoke and wind.[16] The fire surpassed 70,000 acres (28,000 ha) by that morning and had continued growing all afternoon and night, mostly several miles to the north in the North Fork Drainage with extreme fire behavior and spread, much like what was observed in the fire's first days. In result, crews had to disengage from the battling the fire as well as it was too dangerous.[17][2] Fire had reached Delano peak running up the mountain, and more was focused near and all around Mount Bellnap. Piute County Emergency Management lifted the level one "ready” evacuation status for Circleville and Junction. A community meeting was held at Piute High School at 7 pm.[2]

The fire had surpassed 92,000 acres still with zero percent containment on the morning of June 27, with more red flag conditions expected that day.[18] Direct extinguishment strategies throughout the fire parameter in several places were also utilized, which included the strengthening of dozer and hand lines, in an effort to slow the fire's spread, as it had moderated due to slightly higher humidity and some cloud cover. 1,200 resources were working the fire.[19] Higher humidity levels helped moderate fire conditions despite strong winds gusting up to 55 miles per hour (89 km/h).[20] On June 28, officials led residents in Piute County to retrieve camp trailers.[21]

Smoke from the Cottonwood Fire behind a firefighting helicopter on June 29

The fire spread to 93,918 acres (38,007 ha) on June 29. Helicopters were combatting areas inaccessible by foot due to terrain.[22] Decreased fire activity overnight allowed crews to begin laying a hose lay around portions of the Cottonwood Fire's perimeter, with crews prioritizing structure protection near LeBaron Meadows and Kents Lake.[2] The fire reached 4% containment.[23] The fire reached 5% containment on June 30 and a community meeting was held at Piute High School.[2]

On July 1, containment on the Cottonwood Fire increased to 19%. Crews focused on building a dozer line between Mount Baldy and Cork Ridge as the fire was still moving to the west.[24] North Creek and Manderfield were placed on set evacuation status while the ready evacuation status was lifted for Marysvale, Junction, and Circleville on July 2. Containment increased to 23%.[2] The fire surpassed 94,000 acres on the morning of July 3, with most of this growth on its western edge.[25] The fire reached 42% containment on July 4.[2]

Containment had reached 47% by July 5, just as the fire surpassed 95,000 acres, with still over 1,000 personnel assigned and continuing their direct stratigies.[26] And in the coming days, controll of the fire was more established, with minimal growth to a few hundred acres a day decreasing even more as containment kept increasing, which had made it past 70% by July 12.[27]

Effects

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Heavy smoke from the Cottonwood Fire on June 23 as viewed from a satellite impacting much of Eastern Utah and west-central Colorado.

While crews are just starting to conduct comprehensive damage assessments, crews have confirmed Eagle Point Resort has sustained significant structural damage[15] and Governor Spencer Cox has stated, "there's a very good chance that this is already the most destructive fire in the state's history."[28] ABC News stated, "ranchers reported finding dead cattle strewn across burned grazing land", and the Utah agriculture commissioner stated it would take "years" for ranchers to recover from the fire.[29] The fire has prompted evacuation orders for Eagle Point Resort, the HiLo Estates, Merchant Valley, and Arrowhead Summer Homes and "ready" evacuation notices for Marysvale, Circleville, and Junction.[2] Power outages are occurring across Piute County. Eagle Point Resort is closed[30] and will remain closed in the future due to significant damage.[15] State Route 153 and several forest roads are closed,[11] along with large portions of Fishlake National Forest. The forest closure will remain in place until December 31, 2026 unless rescinded due to better conditions.[31] The Cottonwood Fire has significantly impacted air quality across multiple states outside of Utah, with numerous reports of poor air quality and smoke visibility in Moab[32] and Colorado.[10] A Red Cross shelter was set up in the Beaver armory for anyone who needed assistance evacuating from the fire.

The fire has also partly contributed to a statewide fireworks ban issued by the governor due to a wildfire outbreak throughout the state before forth of July, causing some backlash among the people who live in the state.[33] The Fourth of July celebration in Beaver was cancelled as well.[34]

Peak air quality from June 27 – July 5
City June 27[35] June 28[35] June 29[36] June 30[37] July 1[38] July 2[39] July 3[40] July 4[41] July 5[42]
Salina N/a M. M. M. M. M. M. M. M.
Richfield M. M. G. M. M. M. M. M. M.
Marysvale U.S.G. M. M. U.S.G. U. U.S.G. U.S.G. U.S.G. M.
Koosharem M. G. M. M. M. M. M. M. M.
Junction G. U.S.G. M. U.S.G. U.S.G. M. M. M. M.
Beaver N/a M. M. U. U.S.G. U.S.G. U. U. U.

Growth and containment table

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Fire containment status Gray: contained; Red: active; %: percent contained;
Date Area burned Personnel Containment
June 22[2] 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) Unknown
0%
June 23[2] 31,000 acres (13,000 ha) Unknown
0%
June 24[43] 59,613 acres (24,125 ha) Unknown
0%
June 25[44] 70,992 acres (28,729 ha) Unknown
0%
June 26[45] 71,841 acres (29,073 ha) 658
0%
June 27[46] 93,607 acres (37,881 ha) 1,200
0%
June 28[47]
June 29[48] 93,918 acres (38,007 ha)
0%
June 30[49]
4%
July 1[50] 1,204
5%
July 2[51] 1,222
19%
July 3[52] 1,273
23%
July 4[53] 94,417 acres (38,209 ha) 1,305
25%
July 5[54] 94,768 acres (38,351 ha) 1,289
42%

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ "Utah's Cottonwood Fire is already the 6th largest in state history. Here's a list of the 10 biggest and 3 deadliest". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Cottonwood Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Fox, Derick; Hoffman, Samantha (June 23, 2026). "Cottonwood Fire expands to over 27,000 acres, determined as human-caused". KMYU. KUTV. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  4. ↑ Fox, Derick (June 24, 2026). "Human-caused Cottonwood Fire nearly doubles to over 59,000 acres burned in two counties". KUTV. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Oldroyd, Devin (June 22, 2026). "Fast-moving wildfire in central Utah consumes 10,000 acres in hours Monday". KSL-TV. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  6. ↑ Richards, Jeff (June 22, 2026). "Updated: Wildfire near Beaver reaches 4,000 acres; latest updates on evacuations, closures". St. George News. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  7. ↑ Turner, Jared; Fox, Derick; Brugger, Megan; May, Jonathan (June 23, 2026). "Evacuations ordered as wildfires threaten towns, cabins in central, southern Utah". KUTV. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ Erblat, Austin; Woodhouse, Murphy (June 23, 2026). "Fire crews battle over 20 wildfires spanning 84K of acres in Utah, Nevada, Idaho". Boise State Public Radio. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ Backmeier, Scott. "Cottonwood Fire in Utah produces multiple pyrocumulonimbus clouds". cimss.ssec.wisc.edu. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Mccormack, Kathy (June 24, 2026). "Utah governor restricts fireworks as largest US wildfire surges uncontained". WKMG-TV. Associated Press. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  11. 1 2 Hobson, Amelia; Hart, Ava (June 24, 2026). "'Most Destructive in state's history': Governor Cox speaks on Cottonwood Fire, which has burned over 61,000 acres". KTVX. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  12. ↑ "'Everything's gone': Cottonwood Fire reduces Utah family's beloved cabin escape, built generations ago, to ash". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire might set cost records after destroying southern Utah resort, Cox says". June 26, 2026.
  14. ↑ "WATCH: New videos capture 'absolute devastation' of cabins during Cottonwood Fire, Eagle Point Resort to remain closed". June 25, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 Camarena, Kennedy; Williams, Carter (June 24, 2026). "Cottonwood Fire might set cost records after destroying southern Utah resort, Cox says". Deseret News. KSL-TV. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  16. ↑ Jennings, Aubree (June 24, 2026). "Nation's largest wildfire grows to over 70,000 acres in Southern Utah". KUTV. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  17. ↑ Hutchinson, Bill (June 25, 2026). "Utah wildfire poised to be the most destructive in state history as it surpasses 70,000 acres". ABC News. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  18. ↑ Jennings, Aubree B. (June 27, 2026). "Uncontained Cottonwood Fire burns 92,000 acres in Southern Utah". KUTV. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  19. ↑ KUTV, Aubree B. Jennings (June 27, 2026). "Uncontained Cottonwood Fire burns 92,000 acres in Southern Utah". KUTV. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  20. ↑ Bittan, Ryan (June 28, 2026). "Cottonwood Fire, nation's largest wildfire, nears 94,000 acres". KTVX. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  21. ↑ Bittan, Ryan (June 27, 2026). "Piute County to help residents amid Cottonwood Fire threat". KTVX. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire at 93,918 acres, 0% contained". Gephardt Daily. June 29, 2026. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  23. ↑ Terry, Eva (June 29, 2026). "This Utah town is watching its mountain and way of life burn". Deseret News. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  24. ↑ Hart, Ava; Hobson, Amelia (July 1, 2026). "Crews continue to fight Cottonwood Fire, nation's largest wildfire, with increased fire activity expected". KTVX. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  25. ↑ Cabrero, Alex. "Despite devastation, Cottonwood Fire leaves behind 'islands of hope' on Beaver Mountain". www.ksl.com. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire grows to nearly 96,000 acres, reaches 47% containment". July 5, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Cottonwood fire daily operations update for July 12, 2026". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  28. ↑ Knox, Annie (June 24, 2026). "Cox says 'there's no end in sight' to wildfire that could be Utah's most destructive ever". News From The States. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  29. ↑ Hutchinson, Bill (June 30, 2026). "Biggest US wildfire leaves ranchers with dead and missing cattle: Officials". ABC News. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Power company deactivates Piute County lines near Cottonwood Fire, warns locals to prepare for 'prolonged outage'". Gephardt Daily. June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Closure Order". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Why is the sky yellow over Moab? Wildfire smoke drifts in from across the region". Moab Sun News. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Utah banned fireworks on America 250 amid raging wildfires. The backlash has already begun". Deseret News. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  34. ↑ Richards, Jeff (June 30, 2026). "150 structures in Beaver Canyon were lost in Cottonwood Fire, officials say; lengthy recovery ahead". St. George News. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  35. 1 2 "SMOKE OUTLOOK – Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  36. ↑ "SMOKE OUTLOOK – Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  37. ↑ "SMOKE OUTLOOK – Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  38. ↑ "SMOKE OUTLOOK – Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  39. ↑ "SMOKE OUTLOOK – Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  40. ↑ "SMOKE OUTLOOK – Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  41. ↑ "SMOKE OUTLOOK – Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  42. ↑ "SMOKE OUTLOOK - Cottonwood Fire" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update June 24" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update June 25, 2026" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update June 26" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update June 27, 2026" (PDF). June 27, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update June 28" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update June 29" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update June 30" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update July 1" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update July 2" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update July 3" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update July 4" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Cottonwood Fire Daily Update July 5" (PDF). InciWeb. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
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