Utah weather conditions trigger historic red flag warning as wildfires rage across the state (only 4.60 years left)

NBC News ^ | 6/26/26 | Suzanne Gamboa

[Libloather]

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a red flag warning Friday morning as emergency workers continued to battle one of the state’s largest wildfires in its history.

The red flag warning, issued when critical fire warnings are occurring or imminent, was to be in place through midnight Saturday.

“This is the FIRST Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning issued in NWS Salt Lake City history. This is an exceptionally rare event,” the federal agency said in its warning.

A map of the area under the warning covered much of central and southwest Utah, with an area of the southwest, central and southern mountains also outlined as “particularly dangerous red flag.”

The particularly dangerous area includes the Cottonwood Fire, near the town of Beaver, which started Monday and had grown to covering nearly 72,000 acres by late Friday. The fire forced some evacuations and put residents on alert.

The NWS warned that gusty winds and dry conditions would lead to rapid fire growth.

Utah also was dealing with the Iron Fire, which started June 19, and nearly destroyed the town of Eureka. The fire covered about 40,600 acres and was about 38% contained late Friday.

Friday afternoon, Utah fire officials reported new fires in central west Utah, in Juab County and Millard County.

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TOPICS: Outdoors; Science; Travel; Weather
KEYWORDS: historic; utah; weather; wildfires

[Libloather]

Sunscreen. Lots and lots of sunscreen.

[Organic Panic]

It has been 10 degrees cooler than normal here in the PNW. And I love it.

[logi_cal869]

Nature will happen.

And she can be a b!tch.

[1FreeAmerican]

I live east of SLC and yesterday it looked like the Apocalypse here. Thick heavy smoke coming over the mountains had completely blotted out the sun. The wind was fierce and was forecast to stay that way but died down later in the evening.
This morning is still, crisp and cool with clear skies.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

My first memory of Utah was going from Monticello to Moab in 1955. Off to the South East we could see flames shooting up from the Manti-La Sal forest burn.

[Retrofitted]

I’m in WVC and saw the same thing. Heard the firetrucks hitting 3500 South before that one got out of control.

This is Utah, which means it has zero to do with “climate change” and almost always is caused by humans (arson or stupidity; take your pick). Wonder how long before the idiots are demanding their “right” to shoot off fireworks?

[vpintheak]

God is punishing the mormonites.