Utah’s Largest Wildfire Escalates

Utah’s Cottonwood Fire, now the largest wildfire in the U.S., has exploded over 144 square miles fueled by 45 mph winds and bone-dry conditions, forcing evacuations and grounding air support. No injuries yet, but damage is severe — including at Eagle Point ski resort — with ash falling and skies choked in smoke. Record warmth this winter has created a tinderbox, and meteorologists warn this extreme fire behavior is unprecedented in five years. Highways are shut, small towns are under evacuation orders, and the U.S. Forest Service says conditions won’t ease soon — with more extreme fire risk looming as temperatures and winds climb. Across the West, red flag warnings stretch from California to New Mexico, prompting power shutoffs and fireworks bans as officials brace for more human-caused ignitions in a dangerously dry landscape. 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/d5383b8a6cd369bf