Residents on notice as fast-moving fire in Utah, the largest in the US, blackens more forestland

The report says Utah residents in areas near the Cottonwood Fire are being warned as the blaze burns through tinder-dry canyons and steep terrain, blackening more forestland. The fire has damaged the Eagle Point ski resort and has led to campground closures in parts of Fishlake National Forest and other public lands.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said firefighters are making “miraculous stops and saves,” but also warned that more property is being destroyed. State officials said the cause hasn’t been determined, though they noted most wildfires this year are believed to be human-caused, while lightning has also sparked fires elsewhere in the region.

Weather is a key factor: crews were grounded at times because of conditions that prompted forecasters to issue warnings about a particularly dangerous situation. Even when conditions improve slightly, the article says extreme fire behavior could still occur in the afternoon as temperatures and winds rise. Fire growth accelerated enough for the blaze to reach more than 144 square miles (373 square kilometers) by Saturday.

The state has restricted fireworks and declared an emergency, with officials arguing that the recent spate of blazes—some starting close to homes and communities—is stretching Utah’s firefighting capacity. Elsewhere in Utah, the report notes evacuations were ordered for several small communities southwest of Salt Lake City, and highway closures were also reported.

Nationally, the article places Utah’s firefighting push in a broader U.S. context, saying nearly 3 million acres have burned since the start of the year and that dozens of large, uncontained fires are being managed across the country.