Colorado River rafters evacuated as deadly Western wildfires grow
More than 120 campers and rafters were evacuated from a stretch of the Colorado River the weekend of June 27 due to one of more than a dozen large wildfires rapidly growing in the West.
As flames burned at the top of a high plain, several agencies worked together in a complex operation to collect 123 river rafters and six dogs from the Loma and Westwater sections of the Colorado River and transport them from the area by bus, according to the messages. By Mesa County Search and Rescue in Colorado and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
Other evacuations were ordered in the area as the fire grew over the weekend. As of June 29, the size of the fire reached 28,264 acres.
Dozens of fires are being fought and monitored As June approaches, drought and rising temperatures are experienced across the country.
More than 120 rafters and campers along nearly 25 miles of the Colorado River were evacuated on Saturday, June 27, as a rapidly growing wildfire threatened the area.
Critical fire risk weather is expected for parts of the Great Basin and Colorado River valley on June 30, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts of up to 30-35 mph are expected in northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, eastern Utah and western Colorado.
A severe heat wave is expected to sweep the country east of the Rocky Mountains by July 4, and various fire and firework restrictions and bans are in place across the country.
Developments:
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On June 29 in Pueblo County, Colorado, the entire town of Beulah The Pueblo Chief, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that the so-called Aspen Acres fire was evacuated as it grew in size.
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On June 29, more than 106 million people in the United States were under various heat and fire warnings.
Firefighters killed
The fire, which forced the evacuation of river rafters and campers, killed three wildland firefighters and injured two others in Mesa County, and the flames overtook them, too. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service said the blaze now known as the Snyder Fire is actually three separate fires, including the Knowles Fire in western Colorado, where firefighters died during initial attack operations.
On June 29, Wildland Fire Department identified firefighters like:
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Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.
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Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.
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Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama, was assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Department Rifle Helitack.
“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their citizens,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and teammates as they face unimaginable loss. These firefighters represented the courage, professionalism and dedication that define the wildland fire service.”
More than 7,800 fire personnel are assigned to fires across the country, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
More than 120 rafters and campers along nearly 25 miles of the Colorado River were evacuated on Saturday, June 27, as a rapidly growing wildfire threatened the area.
How many forest fires are there?
The fire station said in its daily report that 27 major wildfires were tracked across the U.S. on June 29.
In total, more than 35,247 wildfires have been reported so far this year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. That’s nearly 1,700 more than seen in any year since at least 2016, according to the center’s statistics.
In total, the fires burned more than 2.3 million acres; This was the largest fire on this date since 2022.
Where are the biggest forest fires burning?
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the largest fire in the country is the 93,606-acre Cottonwood Fire near Beaver, Utah.
Other large fires currently considered uncontained, listed by size by acre, include:
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Utah – Iron, 41,467; Babylon, 38.399.
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Nevada – Cherry, 34,244 and Vine, 26,424.
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Colorado v. Ferris, 15,888.
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Arizona – Sycamore, 11,939.
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Massive wildfires burning across the lower 48 states on June 29, 2026 are depicted with flames in this map by NASA and the U.S. Forest Service.
What can you do to help firefighters?
Wildfire activity has gradually increased across multiple geographic areas, the fire station said June 25.
“If you know you live in a fire-prone area, Steps you can take to prepare The fire station said: “For the frightening situation of a threat to your community.”
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Work with your neighbors to keep streets and roads clear so fire trucks can maneuver easily and residents can evacuate quickly if necessary.
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Make sure fire hydrants are visible and accessible.
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Clear flammable vegetation around structures, large properties, and roadsides.
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Prepare an evacuation plan with your household, including the essential items to take with you and where to meet.
USA TODAY national correspondent Dinah Voyles Pulver covers wildfires, climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach him at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado River rafters evacuated as deadly Western wildfires grow
