Why Utah firefighters may not get a break anytime soon
Jun 26, 2026, 4:47 PM
A plane drops a retardant drop on the Cottonwood Fire in the Fishlake National Forest on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Utah firefighters aren't just battling several large wildfires, they're also responding to a steady stream of new fire starts. (Photo courtesy: USFS via Facebook)
(Photo courtesy: USFS via Facebook)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah firefighters aren’t just battling several large wildfires, they’re also responding to a steady stream of new fire starts. And forecasters are warning the hot, dry and windy conditions driving those fire starts aren’t expected to ease anytime soon.
Utah firefighters are battling more than a dozen new wildfire starts that were reported over the past 24 hours. Extreme fire weather continues to fuel dangerous conditions across much of the state.
Stay on top of Utah’s fires with Utah Firewatch
That includes a fire in Juab County near Weiss Highway and Cherry Creek. According to Utah Fire Info that fire quickly grew to an estimated 50 acres and was burning rapidly. Several campgrounds were impacted as crews worked to evacuate campers and RVs.
The new starts come as firefighters continue battling several larger wildfires including the Cottonwood Fire east of Beaver, which remains the state’s largest active wildfire.
The Cottonwood Fire is pictured Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (U.S. Forest Service via Facebook)
Limited resources
The growing number of fires is stretching already limited resources.
When KSL NewsRadio reached out to Utah Fire Info on Friday seeking an interview about the state’s wildfire situation, officials said they were too busy responding to the increasing number of new fire starts to make anyone available.
A PDS Red Flag Warning is in effect Friday from 9 AM to midnight for portions of the Southwest Desert, Central & Southern Mountains including the #CottonwoodFire. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. Gusty winds & dry conditions will lead to very rapid fire growth. #utwx pic.twitter.com/AExO4hCYdG
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) June 25, 2026
Gov. Spencer Cox warned Thursday that Utah’s firefighting resources are already under strain, saying the state cannot afford many more large wildfire starts.
Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at a press conference about current wildfire conditions near the Bonneville Fire burn scar in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
Rare weather conditions fueling fire danger
According to the National Weather Service, the weather is playing a major role in both the rapid spread of existing fires and the potential for new ones.
We’re getting to the point where the atmosphere just can’t really be much drier than it is.” David Church, National Weather Service
National Weather Service meteorologist David Church said several dangerous weather factors are occurring at the same time.
Image accessed from https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu on June 26, 2026.
“We have really hot, dry and windy conditions coming in here today,” Church said. “Today we’re talking about wind gusts around 50 miles an hour, even some localized 55-mile-an-hour gusts. On the dry side, we’re looking at relative humidity as low as 5%. We’re getting to the point where the atmosphere just can’t really be much drier than it is.”
Church said those conditions make it much easier for both human-caused and naturally caused fires to spread rapidly.
He said lightning that moved through parts of Utah earlier this week may also contribute to additional wildfire starts.
“You can have something kind of smoldering, and then it doesn’t really pick up and start burning until you get a really hot, dry, windy day like we have today going into tomorrow,” Church said. “So there’s also potential for new starts from that natural cause.”
‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’
Because of the extreme conditions, the National Weather Service issued a rare Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning for portions of southwestern Utah.
Church said the designation is reserved only for the most serious fire weather events.
“This is definitely a rare situation,” he said. “These are issued only in the more extreme situations where many factors come together to make the situation very dangerous.”
He said this is the first time the Salt Lake City National Weather Service office has issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning under its current policy.
Below is a map of central and southern Utah and the current Red Flag Warnings in effect. All areas in pink have a high risk for rapid fire growth if a fire starts. Areas outlined in purple are of most concern and are in a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS). #utwx pic.twitter.com/XyYu16qgYd
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) June 25, 2026
Fire danger expected to continue
While a cold front is expected to bring cooler temperatures to northern Utah by Sunday, Church said much of southern and eastern Utah will continue experiencing critical fire weather through the weekend and into next week.
“Southern and eastern Utah, in particular, are going to be dealing with critical fire weather conditions almost every day,” Church said. “Unfortunately, in the next week or so, we’re not looking at too much of a reprieve from the conditions that are just ripe for an active fire season.”
Officials continue urging Utahns to avoid activities that could spark a wildfire, including improperly extinguished campfires, dragging trailer chains, and equipment that can produce sparks. Anyone living near active fires should remain alert and be prepared to evacuate if local officials issue evacuation orders.
