In this Lookout Livestream, we discuss the Cottonwood fire in Utah, highlighting its current (Lookout estimate) size of over 90,000 acres and potential expansion to well over 100,000 acres. The fire, burning in the Tushar Mountains of SW Utah, has been active on the northwest and south flanks, with significant runs driven by southwest winds. The fire is expected to grow significantly in the coming days and weeks, barring rainstorms, as the fire is burning in difficult terrain, with no great options for containment on the NW flanks. The NE flank of the fire is running into high alpine country without much in the way of fuels, and the eastern edge of the fire is in generally lighter fuels, and has been less active after light rain and cooler temps of the past two days.
Elsewhere in Utah, new fires, including Maple Peak and Cherry, have burned over 18,000 acres since starting earlier today. There are not many new perimeter maps available for the fires, today, so we use large-scale satellite heat detection data to see a snapshot of the fires from about noon.
In our extended discussion about the potential impacts of the Cottonwood Fire, we examine the impact of old burn scars on current and expected fire behavior. We look at the burn patterns in the landscape to the north of the fire following fires in 2010 and 2016, and talk about the fire effects of the 2025 Monroe Canyon, which burned in the next mountain range to the east of this fire.
This broadcast also talks about the need for locals in fire-prone places to become competent in firefighting, as Federal agencies are increasingly handicapped in their ability to function across most aspects of the government. If you want smaller government, learn to fight fires, yourself!
AI-assisted Summary
Map and Fire Locations
- Zeke Lunder presents a map of Utah, highlighting the Cottonwood fire’s location between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
- He introduces new fires: Maple Peak and Cherry Fires, which are burning together and causing significant issues, near the recent Iron Fire.
- The Iron Fire, which had been burning for a week, is mentioned as being relatively done burning before the new fires started.
- Zeke explains the firing operations which attempted to secure the fire’s edge and the impact of rain on these operations (they went out).
New Fires and Their Impact
- The Wild Goose Fire is east of Holden, and has grown about 400 acres, today.
- SW winds are driving this afternoon’s run of the Wild Goose Fire.
Cottonwood Fire’s Progression
- The Cottonwood Fire is burning in the Tushar Mountains, near Cedar City, Utah. It made significant runs on Wednesday of this week, and again today.
- The fire is most active on the northwest and south flanks.
- The fire has potential to burn the entire North Creek drainage.
- The fire burned the entire Beaver River drainage, mainly with high severity.
- Many structures have burned here.
- Zeke references an upcoming interview with Linda Chappell, a retired Forest Service fuels program director.
- Linda has provided insights which are being shared in this broadcast.
Fire Behavior and Fuels
- 2010 and 2016 historic burns are currently affecting the Cottonwood Fire’s behavior (and will continue to do so).
- These burns include the Briggs fire from 2016 and the Twitchell Canyon burn from 2010.
- The US Forest Service has been using prescribed fires to managing the landscape for more aspen.
- Aspen are important habitat for wildlife, and young aspen stands are a major food source for deer, elk, and other animals.
- A century of fire suppression has negatively affected the aspen forests, and large fires like Cottonwood can help reset these areas.
- Aspen are pretty much impossible to kill with fire – the standing trees die, but new growth springs from their roots.
- Zeke highlights the importance of understanding the fire return interval and the landscape’s fire history.
Local Community and Fire Suppression
- Zeke discusses the role of local communities in fire suppression, including the use of private dozers on private lands.
- He mentions the challenges faced by firefighting agencies, including resource shortages and the need for local involvement.
- The impact of the federal government’s current dysfunction on firefighting efforts is highlighted.
- Viewers are encouraged to become literate in firefighting skills and to join local fire departments.
- Don’t be a hero. But don’t evacuate if you are experienced with fire and can be an asset to the firefighting.
Additional Fires and Their Impact
- Zeke introduces new fires in Nevada, including the Parsnip Peak and Dry Canyon fires.
- He discusses the impact of the Cane Springs and Grapevine fires, including their activity and the role of dry lake beds in fire behavior.
- The importance of understanding the geographic constraints on fire spread is highlighted.
- Zeke mentions the potential for new fires to start and the importance of monitoring weather conditions.
Conclusion and Call to Action
- Zeke concludes the meeting by encouraging viewers to stay informed and involved in fire management.
- He emphasizes the importance of local involvement in land management and wildfire response, and the need for fire literacy.
- Zeke thanks viewers for their support and encourages them to check out the website and sponsors.