Dangerous weather hampers firefighters and leads to fireworks bans in western U.S.

By — Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/dangerous-weather-hampers-firefighters-and-leads-to-fireworks-bans-in-western-u-s Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Dangerous weather hampers firefighters and leads to fireworks bans in western U.S. Nation Jun 27, 2026 11:16 AM EDT Hot, dry and windy conditions are fueling a fast-moving wildfire in Utah, forcing the governor to declare an emergency and restrict fireworks as critical weather across the West gives way to mounting concerns that anything could cause a spark. Firefighters are facing more challenges on the ground from what fire managers and experts call unprecedented conditions. READ MORE: Heat, wind and drought conditions spark wildfires in the U.S. West 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. "We are not expecting the weather to be kind to us for the next couple of days," said Alyssa Mason, a spokesperson assigned to the fire. "We are seeing extreme fire behavior out there with some crown runs and definitely some spotting." Burning in a sparsely populated area of southern Utah, the Cottonwood Fire ballooned Friday to more than 112 square miles (290 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. A cold front on Sunday will bring winds that could push the fire in new directions before the weather starts stabilizing next week, he said. 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. It's like nothing seen in recent memory, Utah state forester Jamie Barnes said earlier this week. She acknowledged that fires are spreading farther and faster "under conditions that defy historical expectations." Nationally, nearly 3 million acres have burned since the start of the year, pushing the U.S. ahead of the 10-year average. The National Interagency Fire Center said firefighters are making progress on containing fires from