Community Meeting Set To Discuss Cottonwood Fire Progress

The Cottonwood Fire burning on the Fishlake National Forest continued to grow Thursday, reaching 70,992 acres with zero percent containment, according to fire officials. The wildfire, which started June 22, remains under investigation and has prompted a major firefighting response across portions of Beaver and Piute counties.

Fire crews are continuing suppression efforts on multiple fronts. On the western flank, firefighters are working toward the North Creek area, using direct attack methods when conditions permit and incorporating previously burned areas into containment lines near Birch Creek Lake. On the eastern side of the fire, hand crews are constructing fireline from State Highway 153 toward the Little Twist burn scar.

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Additional progress has been made near Circleville, where brushing operations conducted by Rocky Mountain Power have assisted firefighters in building fireline along power corridors. Crews are also continuing structure protection work in the Cottonwood Creek area.

Courtesy U.S. Forest Service

Fire managers reported that gusty outflow winds from thunderstorms and reduced visibility caused by smoke limited helicopter operations Wednesday afternoon. Once conditions improved, helicopters returned to support firefighters on the ground. Today, Rapid Extrication Module Support (REMS) teams are expected to arrive, enhancing emergency medical response capabilities in remote sections of the fire and allowing crews to engage more aggressively where conditions allow.

Weather conditions have provided some assistance, with cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and cloud cover moderating fire activity. However, only about one-tenth of an inch of rain fell across the fire area. Forecasters are calling for additional showers and thunderstorms Thursday afternoon, with wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph that could contribute to continued fire growth, particularly in canyon areas where the fire has been moving eastward.

Community Meeting Set For Tonight

A community meeting will be held tonight, Thursday, June 25, at 7 p.m. in the Beaver High School Auditorium, located at 195 East Center Street in Beaver. Representatives from Great Basin Incident Management Team 5 and local agencies will provide an update on firefighting efforts and answer questions from residents. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Fishlake National Forest Facebook page.

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Fishlake National Forest closures remain in effect, and State Highway 153 remains closed in both directions. Residents are encouraged to monitor official county emergency management and fire information sources for the latest evacuation and closure updates.