Utah braces for rare red-flag fire warning as Cottonwood blaze rages

Federal meteorologists issued a rare 'particularly dangerous situation' red-flag warning for southern Utah through Friday as the Cottonwood Fire, now over 70,000 acres, rages and ranks among the largest blazes in the U.S. this year. Forecasters warn life-threatening fire behavior is possible Friday amid extreme fire weather, with risk extending across the Intermountain West into next week. Smoke from the fires is blowing toward the East Coast, though air quality remains unaffected in the area.