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By Joe Edwards
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A fast-growing wildfire in southern Utah has scorched roughly 31,000 acres, forced evacuations and sent huge plumes of smoke into the sky that were visible from space.
The wildfire, burning across parts of Beaver and Piute counties, remained uncontained Wednesday morning as officials warned of extreme fire behavior fueled by heat, gusty winds and very dry vegetation.
Wildfire Seen From Space in Satellite Images
Satellite imagery of the blaze was posted to social media platform by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Satellite & Information Service.
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Plumes of thick grey smoke could be seen billowing upwards, rising high into the sky in the image.
“On June 22, 2026, #NOAA20 captured wildfire smoke plumes billowing east across Utah,” the agency said in its post.
“The satellite’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument detects active fires and measures their intensity.”
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere also shared images of the fire through X.
“After starting late yesterday afternoon, the Cottonwood Fire in Utah is already over 24,000 acres and has filled the skies with smoke,” it said on Tuesday.
“The concern following a record dry winter and above average temperatures in the Great Basin is coming a reality,” meteorologist Collin Gross wrote on X Tuesday night.
“Multiple intense wildfires are burning in Nevada and Utah, producing thick smoke plumes on visible satellite tonight.”
According to a Watch Duty map, there were several wildfires burning in Utah as of early Wednesday morning.
Cottonwood Fire Spreads to 31,000 Acres
The blaze had grown to around 31,000 acres with 0 percent containment as of Tuesday, the National Forest Service said, citing high temperatures, gusty winds and extremely dry fuels.
“The fire is very active and exhibiting extreme fire behavior, so please stay alert, stay out of the area and keep an eye on official updates,” it warned.
The agency said a closure order was in place and residents should avoid the areas.
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“Mandatory evacuations remain strictly in place for Eagle Point Resort, Merchant Valley, HiLo Estates, and Arrowhead Summer Homes,” it added.
The Beaver County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday the extent of the fire’s damage to cabins and property was unclear.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved federal funding to help cover the cost of fighting the fire.
“At the time of the request, the Cottonwood Fire was threatening more than 300 homes, along with utilities and critical infrastructure,” FEMA said.
The fire was first detected near milepost 5 on State Route 153, after which it pushed east toward Beaver Mountain, Fox 13 reported.
Why This Fire Is Spreading So Quickly
The National Weather Service had warned that this week would see conditions become increasingly active with “critical fire weather conditions developing statewide by Friday.”
Gusty winds and low humidity were expected across southern Utah on Tuesday afternoon.
The agency added on Tuesday that “widespread and significant critical fire weather conditions” will impact the state into the weekend.
“Very dry conditions, with humidities as low as 5 percent, will occur across the entire area with little to no overnight recovery,” it said.
Wildfires Burning Across the State
Several active fires are burning across the state as of Wednesday morning, according to a Watch Duty map. These include:
- Sawmill fire (Iron County): 3,790 acres; 25 percent contained.
- Iron fire (Utah Juab, and Tooele Counties): 37,172 acres; 17 percent containment.
- Hastings fire (Tooele County): 26,422 acres; 25 percent containment.
- Bonneville fire (Salt Lake County): 566 acres; 84 percent containment.
- Cottonwood fire (Piute and Beaver Counties): 31,000 acres; 0 percent containment.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Yannick Demoustier.
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