Western Wildfires Force Evacuations as Utah's Cottonwood Fire Nears 100,000 Acres
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jun 30
Western Wildfires Force Evacuations as Utah's Cottonwood Fire Nears 100,000 Acres
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jun 30
Summary
Utah's Cottonwood Fire swelled to nearly 100,000 acres by Tuesday night and remained just 5% contained, with evacuations still in place and about 150 structures already lost.
Low humidity, dry vegetation and strong winds are fueling dozens of fires across the West, with red flag warnings covering large parts of Colorado, Utah and nearby states through midweek.
Colorado counted 16 active wildfires Monday night; the Aspen Acres Fire jumped to 28,000 acres and burned at least 155 structures, prompting evacuations of thousands across Pueblo and Custer counties.
The Snyder Fire on the Utah-Colorado border reached more than 30,000 acres after killing three firefighters Saturday, as Colorado activated the National Guard and issued multiple emergency declarations.
Forecasters expect only a brief wind lull Wednesday before gusts strengthen again Thursday and Friday, extending dangerous fire conditions across the parched Southwest.
Is the newly formed U.S. Wildland Fire Service equipped to handle this new era of catastrophic megafires?
As wildfires intensify, will we shift focus from fighting flames to managing forests before they burn?
Utah’s 2026 Cottonwood Fire: Scale, Causes, and the Urgent Need for Wildfire Resilience
Overview
As of July 1, 2026, the Cottonwood Fire remains an active incident burning east of Beaver, with significant fire activity observed and a spotter plane flying past a giant wall of smoke. Managing the fire’s behavior and its impact on air quality and visibility continues to be a challenge. While there are no evacuation orders for Piute County, residents are urged to stay vigilant, register for emergency alerts, and be prepared. These steps highlight the ongoing risks and the importance of community readiness as officials work to keep the public informed and safe during this wildfire event.