Utah declares a state of emergency and restricts fireworks as Cottonwood Fire becomes nation's largest active wildfire

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency and temporarily restricted fireworks statewide through July 5 as the Cottonwood Fire grew into the largest active wildfire in the United States.

The order came as Utah faced a stretch of extreme fire weather heading into the July Fourth holiday period. Officials said the goal was to reduce the risk of human-caused ignitions while crews battled a fast-moving blaze that had already forced evacuations and damaged property.

The state emergency gives the Utah state forester authority to ban fireworks within municipal boundaries. Local leaders and fire chiefs can also designate specific safe areas where fireworks may still be used.

Fire growth and damage

AP reported that the Cottonwood Fire began on June 22 and had expanded rapidly by June 26. By then, the fire had burned more than 112 square miles, or about 290 square kilometers, making it the nation’s largest active wildfire at the time.

The fire severely damaged the Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County. Mandatory evacuations were ordered, and around 1,300 residents in nearby towns were on evacuation alert as the fire continued to spread.

High winds and dry conditions helped fuel the blaze and grounded air support, making the response more difficult for firefighters on the ground. State officials said more than 75% of Utah’s wildfires this season were human-caused, underscoring why leaders focused on limiting fireworks.

Fire weather threat

The National Weather Service issued a rare Particularly Dangerous Situation warning for multiple Utah counties as the fire weather threat intensified. The warning reflected the combination of dry fuels, strong winds and conditions that could support extreme fire behavior.

Smoke from the Cottonwood Fire also affected visibility and air quality over long distances, including around Bryce Canyon. The fire became a regional public-safety concern, not just a local emergency.

Utah had already recorded 354 wildfires this season, burning nearly 142,000 acres, according to state figures cited in the reporting. The Cottonwood Fire stood out because of both its scale and the broader fire danger surrounding it.

What comes next

State officials said they will continue to monitor the fire’s size, containment, evacuations and any additional structural damage. The immediate question is whether conditions improve enough after the holiday period to ease restrictions.

Authorities are also watching for county- or city-level fireworks exemptions or additional local bans. A further decision could come before Pioneer Day later in July if dry and windy weather persists.