A dangerous mix of hot, dry, and windy conditions in the western U.S. has sparked multiple wildfires, with Utah’s Cottonwood Fire becoming the largest in the country and triggering an emergency declaration and statewide fireworks restrictions through early July.

Governor Spencer Cox announced a temporary fireworks ban as a difficult but necessary step to protect lives and property, while local leaders may create safer, restricted areas for fireworks where possible.

Salt Lake City issued a first-of-its-kind red flag warning from the National Weather Service, signaling an extreme fire danger in the area.

Air quality north and east of the Cottonwood Fire, including Marysvale, is unhealthy due to smoke from the blaze.

Fire management officials say crews are actively engaging the fires with safety as the priority, noting no containment date for the Cottonwood Fire at this time.

Battles against the fires face difficult terrain that slows ground efforts and limits heavy equipment, all under critical fire weather.

Nationally, nearly 3 million acres have burned this year, with dozens of large fires ongoing from Alaska to Florida as above-average wildfire activity continues.

The year-to-date burn total far exceeds the 10-year average, underscoring an unprecedented wildfire season with broad geographic spread.

Officials describe an extreme pattern of fire weather statewide, coordinating with firefighting teams while assessing evacuations and damages across the region.

Communities across central and southern Utah report losses of cabins and family retreats, with Beaver Mountain and Eagle Point Ski Resort sustaining significant damage.

The Cottonwood Fire expanded to more than 110 square miles, remains uncontained, and has led to evacuations and the closure of Eagle Point ski resort as it threatens further structures.

In Beaver County, the Cottonwood Fire has grown to over 92,000 acres with 0% containment after five days, with temperatures and winds expected to keep expanding the blaze despite some easing anticipated later.