Utah Wildfires Rage Amid Extreme Heat

Utah’s skies are choked with smoke as the Cottonwood Fire, now the state’s largest at over 112 square miles, rages through Eagle Point and forces evacuations, with ash falling and skies turning dark. Governor’s declared emergency, banned fireworks through July 5th, and air tankers grounded by 45 mph winds and bone-dry conditions. Experts warn unprecedented fire behavior will persist for days, with a cold front shifting the blaze’s path. While Zion and Bryce Canyon see only haze, nearly 3 million acres have burned nationwide this year — far above average — and red flag warnings cover much of the West. With Independence Day approaching, officials urge extreme caution: human-caused fires dominate, and dangerous conditions remain until next week. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/c8baf0406fe02804