For Anitra Cornish, the smoke rising over the hills near her home in Eureka, Utah, was the first warning that danger was approaching.
Late last month, she watched smoke from the growing Iron Fire spread across the area. Soon, flames became visible, and Cornish knew it was time to tell her 86-year-old aunt they had to leave.
They returned home five days later, only to be ordered to evacuate again within 24 hours. Cornish described the experience as a stressful and frustrating week filled with uncertainty.
She said they nearly lost their home the first time and feared the same outcome when they had to leave again.
Thousands Across the West Face Wildfire Uncertainty
Cornish’s experience reflects what thousands of residents across the American West are now facing.
Wildfires are spreading across several states after months of dry weather and, in some areas, record-low winter snowfall. Many residents are waiting anxiously to learn whether their homes will survive.
Others remain on high alert, ready to evacuate with little warning.
Families of firefighters are also living with fear, knowing their loved ones are working in dangerous conditions. Some are mourning firefighters who died while battling the flames.
Experts Warn of Extreme Fire Conditions
Fire experts say the West is facing dangerous conditions.
Jennifer Balch, a fire scientist and geography professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, said current conditions are set up for extreme fire behavior.
Dry vegetation, low snowpack and strong winds have created a dangerous environment for fast-moving fires.
Aspen Acres Fire Forces Thousands to Evacuate
One of the major wildfires is burning southwest of Denver, where the Aspen Acres Fire has forced thousands of people to evacuate.
By Friday, the fire had destroyed more than 160 structures and moved across two Colorado counties as shifting winds pushed flames in unpredictable directions.
The Aspen Acres Fire is one of roughly 40 large uncontained fires burning mostly in the western United States.
Fire Grows Rapidly With No Containment
Fire crews have been using water from the Pueblo Reservoir to fight the Aspen Acres Fire.
Overnight, the blaze grew by 17 square miles, or 44 square kilometers. By Friday, it had reached nearly 105 square miles, or 272 square kilometers, with zero containment.
The rapid growth shows how quickly wildfires can intensify when dry conditions and winds combine.
Thousands of Firefighters Deployed Nationwide
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, more than 9,000 fire personnel have been deployed this week to fight wildfires across the country.
Crews are battling more than 50 large fires nationwide.
The danger of this work was made clear last weekend when three firefighters died while fighting a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border.
Evacuations Ordered in Several States
Evacuation orders have been issued in multiple states, including:
- Arizona
- Washington
- New Mexico
- Colorado
- Utah
The unpredictable behavior of the fires has added to residents’ anxiety, especially as conditions can change quickly overnight.
Colorado Family Prepares to Flee Gold Mountain Fire
In Ouray, Colorado, Chantelle Geyer was ready to evacuate Sunday night as smoke from the Gold Mountain Fire moved over the mountain near her home.
By Monday, the fire had shifted away, but officials told residents to remain prepared in case conditions changed again.
Geyer said her 19-year-old daughter became extremely anxious and believed the family should leave. Her 8-year-old son was too frightened to sleep Sunday night.
The family recently moved from South Africa to Colorado, and Geyer said the thought of losing everything and starting over again for the second time in one year was deeply upsetting.
Families of Firefighters Face Constant Worry
For others, the greatest fear is for loved ones fighting the fires.
Sarah Brubeck Schnurbusch said she always became nervous when her best friend, Emily Barker, left to fight wildfires. She would ask Barker to text when she returned safely and would worry if she did not hear from her for several days.
Barker was one of the three firefighters killed in the Colorado blaze.
Brubeck Schnurbusch said Barker was extremely skilled and dependable, which made it hard to imagine she would not come home. She described her as humble, heroic and hardworking.
Pride and Fear for a 70-Year-Old Firefighter
Randy McClintock said he is proud of his father, Steve, a 70-year-old firefighter working near the Grapevine Fire in Nevada.
But that pride comes with anxiety every time his father’s pager goes off.
McClintock described his father as one of the most selfless people he knows, someone who often sacrifices time with family to help others. He called him his hero.
Property Owners Face Devastating Losses
Some property owners are already facing the painful reality that everything they built may be gone.
Joseph Armeanio watched through a remote camera as the Aspen Acres Fire moved toward his Colorado property.
He had hoped to return and save some belongings, but the fire spread too quickly. He said it was heartbreaking to realize he would not reach the property in time.
Armeanio had been building a home on land that also served as a family campground. Although he has not been able to return, he believes the property is likely a total loss.
He said wildfire risk is a regular concern in Colorado and urged people to evacuate when told to leave.
Utah Rancher Loses Most of His Land
In Utah, Bret Van Leeuwen lost about three-fourths of the small ranch he co-owns to the fast-moving Cherry Fire.
As smoke reduced visibility, neighbors helped cut wire fences so cattle could escape. Still, at least six calves died.
Van Leeuwen said the burned landscape now includes the bloated bodies of dead calves lying on barren ground.
Ranchers will spend the coming days finding and sorting the surviving cattle.
He remains hopeful that he can rebuild, but he said some neighboring ranchers rely entirely on their land for income, making the losses devastating.
Coping With Wildfire Anxiety
Psychologist Thomas Doherty advises people dealing with wildfire stress to focus on one day at a time.
He said families should prioritize basic needs such as food, water and safety. People should also focus on evacuation plans and support from friends, neighbors and relatives.
Doherty reminded those affected that disasters do eventually pass, even when they feel overwhelming in the moment.
Climate Change Is Making Fires Worse
Professor Balch said climate change is making wildfires more frequent and more severe.
She explained that even a small amount of warming can lead to significantly more burning because fire responds strongly to temperature increases.
As the climate warms, dry conditions can become more intense, increasing the risk of destructive wildfires.
Residents Remain Ready to Leave Again
Cornish was able to return home on Sunday and is cautiously hopeful that the Iron Fire will not threaten her property again.
Still, she remains prepared to evacuate if necessary.
For now, she said the community is hoping for one thing above all: rain.
Wildfires across the American West are bringing fear, evacuations, destruction and grief to thousands of residents. From Utah’s Iron Fire and Cherry Fire to Colorado’s Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain fires, families are facing uncertainty over their homes, ranches and communities.
Firefighters are risking their lives in extreme conditions, with three recent deaths highlighting the danger of the work. Experts warn that dry weather, low snowpack, strong winds and climate change are making fires more intense and unpredictable. As residents prepare to evacuate at any moment, many are focused on survival, rebuilding and hoping for rain.