- Utah's 2026 wildfire season has seen 404 fires burning 346,871 acres total.
- The Mineral Gultch Fire, human-caused, is 86 acres with ongoing containment efforts.
- Major fires like Cottonwood and Babylon prompt extensive forest closures.
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 Gultch 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 Gultch 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.
