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Cottonwood Fire might set cost records after destroying southern Utah resort, Cox says
KSL News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah has rapidly burned over 59,613 acres, destroying parts of Eagle Point Resort and threatening hundreds of mountain homes, with damage assessments still pending.
- Governor Spencer Cox described the fire as potentially the most destructive in Utah's history, emphasizing the catastrophic impact and the prolonged recovery ahead for affected communities.
- Mandatory evacuations remain in place for multiple areas, and power outages have been reported due to safety measures; firefighting efforts are challenged by dry conditions, strong winds, and limited containment.
- FEMA has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to cover 75% of the state's firefighting costs, amid a surge in wildfire activity statewide that has seen acreage burned increase tenfold in one week.
- Weather forecasts predict scattered storms with rain, wind, and lightning that could either aid firefighting or exacerbate fire spread, followed by critical fire weather conditions and red flag warnings due to strong winds and low humidity through the weekend.
