Wildfires continue to prompt closures across Utah

Fireworks responsible for large brush fire near Slate Canyon in Provo, fire official says SALT LAKE CITY — A total of 404 fires have burned up to 346,871 acres during Utah's 2026 wildfire season as of Sunday, according to the Utah Fire Info . One fire, now dubbed the Mineral Gulch Fire, started on Saturday in Kane County near Highway 9 and Mineral Springs Road. On Saturday at 7:27 p.m., the Utah Fire Info said the fire was estimated to be at 30 to 50 acres. By Sunday, it was determined to be human-caused and was mapped at 86 acres, located 18 miles northwest of Kanab. "Firefighters continue making good progress," the Utah Fire Info said. "Ground crews, engines, dozers, & air resources remain actively engaged on the fire. Dozer line construction continues to improve containment as crews strengthen & secure the fire perimeter." Although the Mineral Gulch Fire was doing well at 86 acres, much larger fires continued to burn through the state on Sunday, wrecking havoc on livestock and prompting forest closures. The Cottonwood Fire burned 94,768 acres by Sunday with 42% containment after starting on June 22. The cause of the fire was still under investigation, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Babylon Fire burned 90,445 acres by Sunday with 0% containment after starting on June 26. The cause of the fire was still undetermined on Sunday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Iron Fire burned 41,842 acres by Sunday after starting on June 19, according to the U.S. Forest Service. While the exact cause of the Iron Fire was still under investigation on Sunday, the Utah Fire Info said it does know the fire was human-caused and it was 100% contained. The Cherry Fire burned 34,252 acres by Sunday after lightning started the fire on June 26, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Utah Fire Info said the fire was 93% contained on Sunday. The Wild Goose Fire burned 12,589 acres by Sunday with 45% containment after lightning started the fire on June 26, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Evacuations and closures On Sunday, the town of Scipio was in "ready" status due to the Wild Goose Fire. Primary residences in the Gap area were in "set" status, while Maple Hollow and Maple Grove campgrounds were under a "go" status. A forest closure order is in effect on the Fishlake National Forest due to the Wild Goose Fire. The Cottonwood Fire prompted officials to close State Highway 153. A Cottonwood Fire closure order is also in place due to this fire. Broad emergency closures were put in place due to the Babylon Fire. "Under these orders, all National Forest lands, roads, and trails in the Monticello Ranger District of the Manti–La Sal National Forest are closed to the public," the U.S. Forest Service said. "The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park is also fully closed." The Bureau of Land Management also temporarily closed all BLM-managed public lands west of Harts Draw Road and north through the Indian Creek Corridor to Indian Creek Falls. Shay Mesa, Beef Basin, Dark Canyon and the Sweet Alice Wilderness Study Area were included in the closure. "Anyone not involved in firefighting operations must stay out of these closure areas and avoid all public lands within the boundary formed by State Route 211 to the north, U.S. Route 191 to the east, and State Route 95 to the south," the U.S. Forest Service said. PROVO — A large brush fire broke out late Saturday near Slate Canyon on Provo's east side, prompting a major response from firefighters on Independence Day. Provo Fire Capt. Jeanie Atherton said Sunday morning in a press release that aerial fireworks started the fire, which erupted below the Bonneville Shoreline Trail about 10:40 p.m. Saturday. She said Provo fire crews arrived quickly and called in additional resources from Utah County to help battle the blaze. According to Atherton, the fireworks were not only set off in a fireworks-restricted area but also during a city-wide fireworks ban. The flames were large at one point, and the fire was visible throughout much of Provo. But by 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Atherton said she did not see any active flames, and crews were working to put out hot spots and ensure the fire was fully contained. Atherton said the fire was initially a half-acre but grew to about 5 acres. "Tonight, we had favorable conditions," Atherton said. "We don't have very much wind. If we had a really strong wind from the west, that would be bad." Video of fireworks near the scene circulated on social media late Saturday evening. Atherton credited wildfire mitigation work in a news release sent to KSL, saying fire reduction work along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail helped to slow the fire. "That mitigation helped keep the fire from escalating into a large wildfire requiring extensive resources, including aircraft and other costly suppression efforts that can quickly reach millions of dollars," Atherton said. "This incident reinforces why Provo Fire and Rescue supports proactive wildfire prevention measures." No homes were evacuated, Atherton said, and no injuries were immediately reported. "The temporary closure of the BYU Y Trailhead during periods of extreme fire danger also helps reduce risk in an area with a single access point, steep terrain, and significant life-safety concerns," she said. She continued, emphasizing the importance of the public obeying fire restriction laws and why those rules were put in place. "(This incident) also underscores the importance of preventive measures such as the fireworks ban and Stage 2 fire restrictions, which are designed to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires before they start." Atherton asked the public to contact the Provo City Fire Department at 801-852-6321 or email [email protected] with any information related to the fire.