Cottonwood Fire Burns Over 150 Square Miles in Utah

A large wildfire that erupted in the early hours of Thursday night has scorched more than 150 square miles of forest and brush in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire, named the “Canyon Creek Fire,” has already consumed the western slopes of the Alpine Ridge ski resort, forcing the resort’s management to close several lift lines and cancel scheduled events for the remainder of the weekend.

Fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and local volunteer groups are working around the clock to contain the blaze. The fire has been driven by high winds and dry conditions, and officials have not yet identified a definitive ignition source. Evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the surrounding communities of Cedar Ridge and Willow Creek, and a temporary shelter has been opened at the Cedar Ridge Community Center.

The Forest Service has requested additional resources, including air tankers and ground crews, as the fire threatens to spread toward the town of Silver Lake. While no fatalities have been reported, the blaze has already destroyed several structures and damaged infrastructure in the resort’s backcountry. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as the fire containment progresses.