Utah Bans Fireworks Through July 5 as Cottonwood Fire Grows to 72,000 Acres

Utah declared a state of emergency and restricted fireworks through July 5 on Friday as the Cottonwood Fire expanded to more than 112 square miles with zero containment. The fire, which started Monday in a sparsely populated area of southern Utah, had burned nearly 72,000 acres by Friday evening and severely damaged the Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County, prompting mandatory evacuations.

Strong winds grounded air support and produced extreme fire behavior including crown runs and spotting, according to forestry officials.

Alyssa Mason, a spokesperson assigned to the fire, said the region experienced 35-mile-per-hour sustained winds and 45-mile-per-hour gusts. "So there has been a great increase in the fire activity," she said. Statewide, Utah recorded 10 active wildfires burning across more than 144,700 acres.

Authorities placed roughly 1,300 residents of Marysvale, Junction and Circleville on notice to prepare for possible evacuation. Smoke from the Cottonwood Fire produced haze at Bryce Canyon National Park and remained visible hundreds of miles away in Colorado. Gov.

Spencer Cox issued the fireworks order because "this year is different," giving state forester Jamie Barnes authority to restrict or prohibit displays in cities and towns. The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued its first-ever "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning for five Utah counties, along with a red flag warning for most of the state.

State data showed 376 wildfires in Utah this year, 273 of them human-caused.

Rocky Mountain Power issued a public safety power shut-off watch for central, southern and eastern Utah through the weekend. The Iron Fire southwest of Salt Lake City forced the temporary evacuation of Eureka on Thursday. Red flag warnings stretched from Idaho to southern Arizona and New Mexico with forecast winds of 25 to 35 mph and very low humidity.