SALT LAKE CITY — The National Weather Service issued Utah’s first-ever “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning Friday as multiple large wildfires continued to burn across the state amid extreme fire weather conditions.
The rare PDS warning covers portions of southern and central Utah, highlighting the potential for rapid fire growth and extreme behavior due to strong winds, very low humidity and dry fuels, officials said. It was in effect through Friday evening into Saturday.
The Cottonwood Fire, burning in Beaver and Piute counties near Beaver, had grown to more than 70,000 acres and remained 0% contained as of late Thursday, according to fire officials. It prompted evacuations and road closures earlier in the week.
Other significant fires included the Iron Fire northwest of Eureka, which had burned about 40,000 acres with 26% containment, and the Hastings Fire in Tooele County, at roughly 26,000 acres with 75% containment, Utah Fire Info reported.
The warnings and fires come as Utah has seen hundreds of wildfires so far in 2026. State fire officials reported 349 wildfires burning across the state this season.
“Prepare now,” the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City urged residents in affected areas, citing conditions described as the highest fire danger level in years.
Fire managers have implemented restrictions on outdoor activities that could spark fires, with officials emphasizing that even small ignitions could spread rapidly under the current weather pattern of gusty winds, single-digit humidity levels in some areas, and hot temperatures.
The Cottonwood Fire, which started June 22, grew explosively in its early days, tripling in size within hours at one point and forcing evacuations of homes and campgrounds, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
As of Friday, fire crews continued suppression efforts on multiple fronts, including structure protection and containment line construction. No specific casualty figures were immediately available from state authorities.
Officials continued to monitor the situation closely, with additional resources deployed to the largest incidents. Further updates on containment and weather impacts were expected over the weekend.
