Three Firefighters Killed, State of Emergency Declared

This year, the news about climate change due to El Niño has been more concerning than usual. The biggest natural disaster news in the U.S. right now is the wildfires.

As of July 2, 2026, four major wildfires are burning simultaneously in Colorado and Utah.

The Snyder Fire, Babylon Fire, Ferris Fire, and Gold Mountain Fire have all spread, and the total area affected has exceeded 135,000 acres.

In the U.S., the scale of wildfires is expressed in acres, which means that the area on fire is roughly equivalent to the size of Seoul.

The largest of these is the Babylon Fire in Utah, which has burned about 70,700 acres and is currently at 0% containment.

Dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds continue to make it difficult for firefighters to establish defensive lines.

This wildfire is spreading primarily around the Bears Ears National Monument and Manti-La Sal National Forest, and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, a popular tourist destination, has also been temporarily closed. This has significantly impacted those who had planned summer vacations.

The Snyder Fire in western Colorado has burned over 30,000 acres, but its containment has improved to about 49%. Residents near Grand Junction, Fruita, and Glade Park were once under evacuation alerts, but most have now been lifted. This is the most positive news among the four wildfires.

On the other hand, the Ferris Fire has merged with the Doe Canyon Fire, increasing its size. It has burned over 25,000 acres, and its containment is also at 0%.

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued around Lone Mesa State Park and near McPhee Dam, with several ranches and farms facing direct threats.

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has raised the national wildfire response level to 4 out of 5 and is concentrating federal personnel and equipment to combat the fires.

The state governments of Utah and Colorado have implemented emergency measures to ban fireworks statewide ahead of July 4th to prevent further wildfires.

This wildfire, which started in the mountainous areas near Ouray and Ridgway, has burned about 17,000 acres.

Due to the rugged terrain, firefighting efforts are difficult, and some areas still have evacuation orders in place. Portions of U.S. Route 550 are also closed.

A common factor in all these wildfires is the weather. Currently, hot and dry air continues to flow into Colorado and Utah.

Humidity is very low, and strong winds in the afternoon create conditions where even a small spark can quickly escalate into a large wildfire.

Helicopters and large aircraft are continuously dropping water, but as the winds pick up, aerial firefighting efforts are often limited.

Wildfires do not just burn trees. Roads are closed, tourist sites shut down, and the local economy is affected.

With ranches, farms, power lines, and homes at risk, wildfires are considered one of the biggest natural disasters in the western U.S. each year.

Every time I see climate news this year, I can't help but think of El Niño. Of course, we can't attribute all the current wildfires solely to El Niño.

Wildfires occur due to a combination of various factors, including precipitation, snowfall, temperature, wind, and vegetation conditions. However, seeing the extreme weather events that have frequently occurred in the western U.S. in recent years, it's natural to worry about what might happen this year.

Summer is still in its early stages. July and August are considered the most dangerous wildfire months in the western U.S., so the situation could change significantly in the coming weeks.

If you are planning a trip to Colorado or Utah this summer, it is advisable to check the wildfire situation, road closures, and the status of national parks before you go.