Wildfires spread across western U.S. in dry windy conditions

Wildfire activity intensified across the western United States over the weekend as hot, dry and windy conditions fueled new and existing fires. The largest blaze, the Cottonwood Fire in southwest Utah, grew to more than 144 square miles after advancing through canyons and mountainsides. The fire destroyed part of a ski resort and other summer cabins.

Conditions and response Authorities in Beaver County began assessing damage on Saturday, though no estimates were immediately available. A spokesperson assigned to the fire said steep slopes and cliffs have made it difficult to move heavy equipment and engines into affected areas.

Hundreds of firefighters have arrived in Utah to battle new starts and expanding fires. Forecasters described the weather as critical fire conditions, citing dangerously low humidity, warm temperatures and gusty winds. The danger is heightened this year because of Utah's record-low snowpack and its warmest winter on record.

Similar conditions affect much of the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Regional developments From Alaska to Florida, crews worked Saturday to contain dozens of fires, including three dozen classified as large and uncontained. Nationally, nearly 3 million acres have burned since the start of the year, exceeding the 10-year average.

State officials said Utah has seen an increase in wildfire starts over the past week, with each fire showing unprecedented behavior that has stretched wildland firefighting resources. Forecasters with the National Weather Service issued red flag warnings across a wide area from California to Arizona and New Mexico.

South of Grand Canyon National Park, a new wildfire moved away from Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan on Saturday. About 50 miles away, another fire prompted Coconino County officials to issue evacuation orders near Kendrick Mountain. Parts of northern Arizona lost power after the local utility initiated a safety shut-off to reduce wildfire risk.