The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah has rapidly expanded to become the largest active wildfire in the United States, scorching over 146 square miles. The blaze started on Monday in Fishlake National Forest and has severely damaged Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County, forcing evacuations in nearby communities. According to CBS News, wind gusts reached up to 45 miles per hour with humidity levels in the single digits, making it difficult to control the fire's spread.
Key Takeaways
The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah has rapidly expanded to over 146 square miles, becoming the largest active wildfire in the United States. The blaze started on Monday in Fishlake National Forest and severely damaged Eagle Point ski resort, forcing evacuations. Three firefighters died battling nearby fires near the Colorado-Utah border.
- Cottonwood Fire has burned over 146 square miles with 0% containment
- Blaze destroyed part of Eagle Point ski resort and summer cabins
- Governor Cox declared a state of emergency, banning fireworks through July 5th
- Three firefighters killed in burnover near Colorado-Utah border
- Nationally, nearly 4,688 square miles have burned since the start of the year
⚖
▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 12 publishers report consistent facts across 2 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Fire Size | 1 Difference | Los Angeles Times and HuffPost report 146 square miles; CBS News reports 92,000 acres | ▼ |
| Firefighters Killed | Broad Agreement | Three firefighters died in Colorado-Utah border fires | |
| National Wildfire Area Burned | Broad Agreement | 4,688 square miles burned nationally since January 1st |
Cottonwood Fire Size
▼Los Angeles Times and HuffPost report 146 square miles; CBS News reports 92,000 acres
Firefighters Killed
Broad AgreementThree firefighters died in Colorado-Utah border fires
National Wildfire Area Burned
Broad Agreement4,688 square miles burned nationally since January 1st
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The fire is at a 0% containment level, with smoke pushing eastward and affecting air quality in areas like Bryce Canyon National Park. Utah state forester Jamie Barnes described the situation as 'unlike anything we've seen in recent memory,' noting that fires are spreading farther and faster than historically expected.
Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency on Friday, restricting fireworks through July 5th amid extreme weather conditions fueled by high winds and low humidity. The National Weather Service issued a rare 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' warning for five Utah counties, indicating severe conditions that could lead to rapid fire growth.
In a separate incident near the Colorado-Utah border, three firefighters died and two were injured while tackling wildfires in the region. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service reported the incident on Sunday, expressing grief and support for the loved ones left behind. According to Los Angeles Times and HuffPost, the firefighters deployed emergency shelters during a burnover in Mesa County, Colorado, where temperatures hit 93 degrees with winds gusting up to 44 mph.
The firefighters were part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires, which merged with other fires to form the Snyder Fire. So far, about 44 square miles have burned in that area. The Wildland Fire Service, created this year to streamline firefighting efforts, stated that it stands united with the Forest Service in grief and support for the families affected.
Nationally, nearly 4,688 square miles have burned since the start of the year, surpassing the 10-year average. Some dozen fully or largely uncontained wildfires were burning across the desert Southwest on Sunday, including in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and Arizona.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 12 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.