On Saturday, June 27, 2026, a helicopter was seen dropping water on the Cottonwood Fire in Beaver, Utah. Tragically, three firefighters lost their lives, and two others sustained injuries while combating blazes on the Colorado-Utah border, according to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. These crew members were part of an interagency response addressing the Knowles and Gore fires.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service stands united with the USDA Forest Service in grief and in our unwavering support for the loved ones left behind. Their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
The Department of the Interior revealed in a press release that the incident involving the five firefighters was a “burnover incident.” This occurs when officials cannot find an escape route, necessitating sheltering as the fire passes directly above them. The two surviving firefighters are receiving medical treatment for burn injuries.
In Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, fires have intensified due to low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds over several days. These conditions have pushed fire behavior to extremes, leading both Utah and Colorado governors to declare emergencies amid resource strains.
Cottonwood Fire Status
The Cottonwood Fire, the largest active wildfire in the United States, continues to burn uncontained, covering over 144 square miles in southern Utah’s Beaver County. This fire has seriously damaged the Eagle Point ski resort and destroyed several summer cabins. As of Saturday, damage assessments were ongoing with no finalized estimates available for the structures lost.
Residents in towns such as Marysvale, Junction, and Circleville were warned on Saturday to prepare for evacuation due to worsening conditions. The Snyder Fire is also burning, spanning more than 28,000 acres. Originating as the Snyder Mesa Fire in east Utah’s Grand County, it later merged with smaller fires, Jones and Knowles, in Colorado.
Alyssa Mason, a spokesperson for the Cottonwood Fire, shared with NPR that the firefighting teams were contending with single-digit humidity, wind gusts around 45 mph, and fuel moisture at 2 to 8 percent. As a result, firefighting aircraft were grounded on Friday afternoon and briefly on Saturday.
The challenging terrain with steep cliffs and canyon walls has hindered movement of heavy equipment, slowing response efforts, according to Morgan. Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox remarked on social media about the severity of the situation and acknowledged the crews for executing improbable rescues amidst harsh conditions. “Please pray for them and for the rains we desperately need,” he wrote.
On Friday, the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning, emphasizing critical fire conditions due to the volatile mix of wind, heat, and low humidity. These conditions were predicted to continue into Sunday.
A Region Ready to Burn
Expert analysis indicates that extreme fire behavior stems from months-long conditions. Utah recorded its lowest snowpack and warmest winter, which peaked three weeks earlier than normal. This resulted in dry soils and vegetation. The broader region, including parts of Nevada and Colorado, has experienced widespread drought following a dry winter.
Utah’s state forester, Jamie Barnes, noted that fires across the state this season exhibited unusual movement patterns that stressed Utah’s firefighting capacity. Recent fires have ignited nearer to populated areas compared to previous years.
Governor Cox declared a state of emergency in Utah, imposing restrictions on fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July celebrations. Similarly, Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis issued an emergency declaration on Saturday, permitting National Guard involvement to combat the fires.
Since the year’s start, nearly 3 million acres have burned nationwide, surpassing the 10-year average according to the National Interagency Fire Center. From Alaska to Florida, efforts were underway on Saturday to manage dozens of fires, including approximately three dozen classified as large and uncontained.
Red flag warnings were issued by the National Weather Service across various western states such as California, Arizona, and New Mexico, where additional fires are active.
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