Western Wildfires

Utah is restricting fireworks as the largest wildfire in the nation grows, fueled by dry conditions and gusting winds. The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah was burning unchecked Friday across more than 112 square miles. The National Weather Service issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” for a section of Utah on Friday, urging preparation for rapid fire growth. Firefighters reported that the flames were racing through the tree tops, and strong winds grounded air support on Friday afternoon. Red flag warnings also are in effect for parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Idaho. Authorities are urging caution as extreme conditions persist around the West.

The largest fire in the United States is burning through tinder-dry forest in Utah. It is fueled by conditions that fire managers and experts call unprecedented. There was little relief from the strong winds on Saturday. But crews were treated to higher humidity levels than expected while fighting the fast-moving Cottonwood Fire. Gov. Spencer Cox asked people to pray for rain. He also declared an emergency, and the state restricted fireworks as a result. Red flag warnings were also in effect for parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.

Three firefighters have died and two were injured while battling fires on the Colorado-Utah border. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service says they were responding to the Knowles and Gore fires on Saturday. Wildfire activity has intensified across the western U.S. due to hot, dry, and windy weather. The largest blaze, the Cottonwood Fire, has grown to over 144 square miles in southwest Utah. Utah's governor declared an emergency earlier this week, and Colorado's governor on Saturday followed suit and authorized the National Guard to help. Conditions have been critical, with record-low snowpack and extreme drought fueling the fires.