Overview
- The National Weather Service issued a rare 'particularly dangerous situation' red flag warning for the Great Basin and Four Corners on Saturday, citing sustained winds of 25–35 mph with gusts up to about 55 mph and relative humidity in the single digits.
- The Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County expanded rapidly and by Saturday topped roughly 90,000 acres, remained 0% contained, and had more than 650 firefighters building contingency lines and protecting communities.
- Several other large fires across Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico are still active with mixed containment, including the Iron Fire at about 40,000 acres and 38% contained and the Cherry Fire at roughly 19,000–20,000 acres with no containment.
- Authorities have enacted emergency measures such as Utah’s temporary statewide fireworks ban through July 5, targeted evacuations and recreation closures, and utilities have warned they may cut power in high‑risk areas to reduce new ignitions.
- The rapid spread reflects months of drought and record low winter snowpack that left fuels unusually dry, worsening smoke and air quality for towns like Marysvale and increasing the chance fires will keep growing until winds ease.