The Cottonwood fire in southern Utah has rapidly expanded to 72,000 acres, devastating over 100 condos and cabins in the Eagle Point ski community. This fire, described by Governor Spencer Cox as the most destructive in the state’s history in terms of property loss, has not resulted in any reported injuries or deaths. Trent Owen, a local home builder and volunteer firefighter, had anticipated a severe fire season due to a dry winter and hot spring. The fire remains uncontained, and with the forecast of hot, windy weather, the National Weather Service has issued a warning for extreme fire danger across central and southern Utah, which is experiencing severe drought conditions.
QUESTION: How might communities better prepare for and respond to the increasing threat of wildfires due to climate change?
Wildfire Incinerates a ‘Hidden Gem’ in Utah’s Mountains
