Story perspectives

Utah bans fireworks as 92,000-acre fire rages

6/29/2026

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Cox Bans Fireworks

Governor Spencer Cox imposed a statewide fireworks moratorium ahead of the Fourth of July to curb preventable ignitions.
The Cottonwood fire, ignited Monday in Fishlake National Forest, has burned over 92,000 acres and remains at 0% containment.
High winds and single-digit humidity forced Utah firefighters to pull crews and ground aircraft.
Smoke triggered unhealthy-air warnings for Marysvale residents and damaged a Beaver County ski resort.

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NWS Issues

The National Weather Service issued the first ever Particularly Dangerous Red Flag Warning from its Salt Lake City office.
High winds and single-digit humidity forced firefighters to pull crews and ground aircraft from the Cottonwood Fire in Utah.
Residents Steve Schrader and Harry Cervelloni said they will evacuate immediately if embers threaten homes.
Beaver Mayor Matt Robinson warned of monsoon flooding and ordered sandbags and equipment for residents.

History

Historical Context

After the Great Fire of 1910 cemented a policy of total suppression, the 1988 Yellowstone blaze—fuelled by extreme drought—burned 36 % of the park and engaged over 9,000 firefighters at a cost of $120 million. Those lessons shaped later federal strategies, so when recent Intermountain West wildfires erupted, agencies again tightened suppression rules and warning systems.

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Cox Bans Fireworks

Governor Spencer Cox imposed a statewide fireworks moratorium ahead of the Fourth of July to curb preventable ignitions.
The Cottonwood fire, ignited Monday in Fishlake National Forest, has burned over 92,000 acres and remains at 0% containment.
High winds and single-digit humidity forced Utah firefighters to pull crews and ground aircraft.
Smoke triggered unhealthy-air warnings for Marysvale residents and damaged a Beaver County ski resort.

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