Wildfires Burn Over Half A Million Acres In Utah In 2026

2026 was a rough wildfire year, as was feared due to the winter’s low snowfall. Utah State University has shared a report on how this year ranks. The Beaver Canyon Fire started near Strawberry Reservoir in January, which at that time of year should have been buried under several feet of snow. It was a sign of what was to come. More than half a million acres have burned in Utah in 2026, making it the state's most severe fire season since 2007, when 629,212 acres burned. The next-highest total in recent history was 438,983 acres in 2018. This summer, Utah experienced several megafires, three of which made the list of the top 10 Utah wildfires since 2002. This year’s fire season saw a shift toward larger fires at mid-to-higher elevations, particularly in timbered areas, rather than in lower-elevation rangelands where larger fires historically were more common. Over the past 10 years, 41% of Utah wildfires were caused by lightning. Although the fire season is not over, 54% of Utah fires were lightning-caused, according to data from the Great Basin Coordination Center. In addition to the tragic loss of firefighters and pilots lives, wildfires this season destroyed 206 structures, including homes, cabins, and a major ski resort. For the full report, visit extension.usu.edu.