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Utah declares emergency, limits fireworks ahead of July Fourth as crews battle largest U.S. wildfire
Utah restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of July Fourth celebrations as the United States' largest wildfire expanded its reach across more tinder-dry forest, as crews rush to fight new blazes in the arid state.
TL;DR
- Utah declared a state of emergency and restricted fireworks for July Fourth due to severe wildfire conditions.
- The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah, the nation's largest, has burned nearly 72,000 acres and is at 0% containment.
- Strong winds are grounding air support and increasing fire activity, leading to evacuations and severe damage to structures.
- A rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning was issued by the National Weather Service for five Utah counties.
- Human activity has caused the majority of wildfires in Utah this year.
- Red flag warnings are in effect across much of the western U.S., with continued predictions of high winds and low humidity.
- Nationally, nearly 3 million acres have burned this year, exceeding the 10-year average.