Fast-moving fire in Utah, the largest in the U.S., spreads overnight, leading to more evacuations

By — Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/fast-moving-fire-in-utah-the-largest-in-the-u-s-spreads-overnight-leading-to-more-evacuations Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Fast-moving fire in Utah, the largest in the U.S., spreads overnight, leading to more evacuations Nation Updated on Jun 27, 2026 12:26 PM EDT — Published on Jun 27, 2026 11:16 AM EDT A fast-moving wildfire in Utah spread with fury overnight, fed by heat and dry wind and leading more communities to evacuate, officials said Saturday. Air tankers and helicopters were grounded Friday as winds picked up on the Cottonwood Fire, the largest blaze currently burning in the U.S. Gusts were clocked at 45 miles per hour (72 kph) and humidity levels were in the single digits, leaving crews with few options for slowing the flames, especially as they raced through the treetops. The U.S. Forest Service said in a statement on Facebook that weather conditions are expected to slightly improve, but not by much. "Weather conditions are slightly better for fire behavior today, but extreme fire behavior may occur in the afternoon as temperatures and wind speeds increase," the U.S. Forest Service said Saturday in a statement on Facebook. No injuries or deaths have been reported, said Jaclynn Swope, a spokesperson for the response team. READ MORE: Heat, wind and drought conditions spark wildfires in the U.S. West Burning in a sparsely populated area of southern Utah, the Cottonwood Fire ballooned Saturday to more than 144 square miles (373 square kilometers). One of several large wildfires burning in Utah, it severely damaged the Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County and forced evacuations. In the community of Marysvale, the smoke blocked out the sun Friday as ash rained down. "We're looking at a full 48 hours of critical weather that we have not seen in Utah in the last five years," meteorologist Jason Straub told a community meeting in Beaver County Friday evening. Elsewhere in Utah, evacuations were ordered Friday for several small communities southwest of Salt Lake City, including in Eureka, with a population under 1,000, and the Vernon Reservoir area, officials said. Highways running through the area have been closed. Two wildfires in that area — the Iron and Cherry fires — ran together overnight, and they are about 38% contained, according to fire officials. The two fires combined are covering about 91 square miles (236 square kilometers). READ MORE: Mistrial declared after jury deadlocks in arson trial over deadly 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles The smoke pushed mostly east, meaning air quality at popular vacation spots like Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks — located far south of the flames — hasn't been significantly affected beyond some haze in the Bryce area. Still, the plume was visible from miles away, even as far as Colorado.