BEAVER — The Cottonwood fire continues to grow under a particularly dangerous red-flag warning, with fire officials announcing Friday that it has grown to nearly 72,000 acres.
Fire crews have been building firelines across multiple locations, creating barriers that the 71,841-acre fire will have difficulty jumping. Despite their efforts, officials say the fire remains at 0% containment.
Fire officials said the weather on Thursday evening helped moderate some of the flames, with cooler temperatures and up to half an inch of rain falling across portions of the fire.
The weather prompted officials to issue a particularly dangerous situation red-flag warning in southern Utah late Thursday, including areas impacted by the Cottonwood Fire.
Humidity levels as low as 8% and wind gusts between 40 and 45 mph may cause flames to rapidly spread.
Air quality in Marysville and Richfield will be heavily impacted by smoke, according to fire officials. State Highway 153 is closed in both directions, with no indication as to when it will reopen.
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