A fast-moving wildfire in Utah, now the largest active blaze in the United States, spread overnight, prompting additional evacuation orders for communities near Beaver, Utah. The Cottonwood Fire, which ignited on Thursday, June 25, 2026, has grown to over 15,000 acres as of Saturday morning, according to the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
Fire Spread and Evacuations
The fire, fueled by dry conditions and gusty winds, expanded rapidly Friday night into Saturday, jumping containment lines and threatening structures in outlying areas. Authorities issued mandatory evacuations for approximately 500 homes in the Ponderosa Hills and Elk Ridge subdivisions, with residents urged to leave immediately. The American Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter at the Beaver County Fairgrounds.
“The fire behavior overnight was extreme, with spotting up to a mile ahead of the main flame front,” said Utah State Fire Management Officer Jason Curry in a press briefing Saturday. “We are facing challenging terrain and weather conditions that continue to hamper suppression efforts.”
Response and Resources
More than 400 firefighters are assigned to the incident, supported by six air tankers and four helicopters. Crews are constructing fire lines and conducting burnout operations to slow the advance. No injuries have been reported, but at least three structures have been destroyed, according to preliminary damage assessments.
The Cottonwood Fire is now the largest active wildfire in the United States, surpassing the 12,000-acre Mule Fire in Arizona. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that over 1.2 million acres have burned nationwide so far in 2026, above the 10-year average.
Cause and Weather Outlook
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the area through Sunday, with low humidity and wind gusts up to 40 mph expected. “We are not out of the woods yet,” Curry added. “We need the public to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders.”
Residents can monitor updates on the Utah Fire Info website and through local emergency alerts.
