Utah's Cottonwood Fire Crisis

Utah’s governor declared a state of emergency as the Cottonwood Fire—now the largest wildfire in the U.S.—rages across 112 square miles, fueled by record-breaking winds, near-zero humidity, and scorching heat. With ash falling like rain and smoke blotting out the sun, evacuations are underway and firefighting efforts are being crippled by conditions unseen in five years. The blaze has already destroyed parts of Eagle Point ski resort and threatens nearby towns. Across the West, from Idaho to Arizona, red flag warnings are in effect as dry, windy weather creates a tinderbox. Even national parks like the Grand Canyon are preparing for power outages. With the Fourth of July approaching, officials urge caution—even banning personal fireworks—as human activity drives most fires this year. Nearly three million acres have burned nationwide this year, far exceeding the 10-year average, and extreme fire behavior remains a threat until a cold front arrives 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/a1831497ca729090