Utah Declares Emergency, Restricts Fireworks as Massive Wildfire Spreads
Utah Declares Emergency, Restricts Fireworks as Massive Wildfire Spreads
A state of emergency in Utah has been declared, with fireworks restricted, as the Cottonwood Fire, the U.S.'s largest, rages. Stay informed on this developing crisis!
Utah has declared a state of emergency and restricted fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July celebrations, as the Cottonwood Fire — the largest wildfire in the United States — continues to spread across vast expanses of dry forest. The National Weather Service has issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” warning, highlighting the critical conditions fueled by dry, windy weather across the western U.S.
The Cottonwood Fire, which ignited in a sparsely populated area of southern Utah on Monday, June 22, 2026, had already ballooned to over 290 square kilometers by Friday, June 26, 2026. Strong winds have grounded air support, allowing the blaze to burn unchecked and exhibit extreme fire behavior, including crown runs and significant spotting, according to Alyssa Mason, a fire spokesperson. Gusts have reached up to 72 kilometers per hour, exacerbating the inferno.
This massive wildfire, one of six large blazes currently active in Utah, has caused substantial damage to the Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County and has led to mandatory evacuations. Approximately 1,300 residents in the towns of Marysvale, Junction, and Circleville have been put on notice, advised to prepare for potential evacuation if conditions worsen and the fire encroaches further.
The smoke plume from the Cottonwood Fire is immense, visible for hundreds of miles, even reaching as far as Colorado. While popular vacation spots like Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks haven't been severely impacted beyond some haze, the sheer scale of the smoke has been captured in social media videos posted by visitors to Bryce. The swift and decisive action by Utah officials, including the ban on fireworks, underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need to prevent further ignitions during this perilous dry season.
