The Cottonwood Fire ignited the afternoon of June 22 about five miles east of Beaver, Utah, and within a week became the largest active wildfire in the United States — burning more than 94,000 acres across Beaver and Piute counties at 0% containment. Governor Spencer Cox said the fire is poised to become "the most destructive in state history."
Driven by extreme winds, severe drought, and humidity as low as 5–15%, the human-caused blaze tore through the Tushar Mountains and devastated Eagle Point Resort, destroying numerous condos, cabins, and at least a dozen occupied homes. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for HiLo Estates, Merchant Valley, Arrowhead Summer Homes, and other mountain subdivisions, with "ready" notices for Marysvale, Circleville, and Junction.
The disaster intensified on June 27 when three wildland firefighters were killed on the Knowles and Gore fires along the Colorado-Utah border, prompting the National Interagency Fire Center to raise the national preparedness level to PL-4. Cox declared a statewide emergency and restricted Fourth of July fireworks ahead of forecast winds.
The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at the Beaver Armory and deployed volunteers from Southern Nevada to support displaced families. The Salvation Army is operating mobile feeding units to support both firefighters and impacted families and raising funds for the response, while FEMA has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant after the fire threatened more than 300 homes and critical infrastructure.
To support evacuees and firefighters battling the blaze, donate via the Cottonwood Fire disaster page or visit our Relief Directory to find more ways to help.
