Active Wildfires Across the West: A June 2026 Update

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The third weekend of June 2026 brought a sharp uptick in fire activity across the western United States. From a 13,000-acre human-caused wildfire in central Utah to a six-day warehouse blaze in Los Angeles that has spread acrid smoke across the basin, communities are facing active evacuations, shelter-in-place advisories, and elevated PM2.5. Here’s a roundup of the most significant incidents as of Sunday, June 21, 2026, plus practical guidance for staying safe.

Utah

Iron Fire (Juab County): A human-caused fire that ignited Friday night, June 19, west of Eureka grew to more than 13,000 acres and remained 0% contained on Sunday morning. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for the town of Eureka (population ~700), with Juab County Emergency Management issuing a “life-threatening” alert telling residents to “leave immediately” and “not stop to gather belongings.” More than 200 firefighters defended every home in town overnight. An evacuation shelter is open at the LDS meetinghouse in Elberta. Deseret News coverage, ABC News coverage.

Bonneville Fire (Salt Lake City): A nearly 400-acre fire in the foothills above the University of Utah and Red Butte Gardens prompted a shelter-in-place advisory on Saturday, June 20, lifted by midnight as the fire moved uphill and away from homes. Trails through City Creek, Bonneville, Dry Creek, and Red Butte remain closed, and a temporary flight restriction is in effect to keep drones from interfering with air operations. KUTV coverage.

Governor Spencer Cox said in a statement Saturday evening that Utah is “facing multiple wildfires across the state” and urged residents to “use extreme caution, follow evacuation notices, and do your part to prevent new fires.”

California

Orange Fire (Sacramento County): A wind-driven fire that erupted Friday afternoon, June 20, scorched 1,200 acres in 12 hours and forced mandatory evacuations of roughly 8,400 residents across El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and Fair Oaks. Folsom emergency shelters quickly hit 87% capacity. With 20-mph winds and single-digit humidity, conditions favored rapid growth.

Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire (Los Angeles): Not a wildfire, but a major air-quality event affecting millions. A fire that began Wednesday afternoon, June 17, at the 500,000-square-foot Lineage Logistics cold-storage warehouse on S. Los Palos Street has burned for nearly a week, complicated by burning foam insulation, suspected ammonia leakage, and melting solar panels. Both Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom declared states of emergency on June 20. Multiple shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents have been issued and lifted as the fire flares up and is contained again. The smoke has reached most of the city, and air quality officials warned people in affected areas to avoid outdoor activity, especially those with heart or lung conditions and children. Los Angeles Times coverage. PurpleAir founder Adrian Dybwad was interviewed by KNX News 1070 AM about air quality during the fire.

Arizona and New Mexico

Pocket Fire (Coconino National Forest, AZ): The fire grew to 500 acres by Saturday evening, June 20, about seven miles north of Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon. Mandatory evacuations are in place, and State Route 89A is closed between south Flagstaff and the north end of Sedona. A shelter is open at Red Rock Junior High School. About 200 personnel are assigned. AZ Central coverage.

Deer Canyon Fire (Torrance County, NM): A 350-acre fire that ignited Saturday afternoon, June 20, south of Mountainair is showing extreme fire behavior in piñon-juniper and grass fuels. Residences are threatened, and evacuations are in place along Deer Canyon Road. A shelter is open at 106 North Sunset, Mountainair, with an animal shelter at the Mountainair rodeo grounds. Los Alamos Reporter coverage.

The National Interagency Fire Center situation report for Sunday, June 21 lists 14 new fires nationwide, two new large incidents, and five uncontained large fires, with critical burn conditions expected across Arizona, New Mexico, and far southern Utah.

What This Means for Air Quality

Fires this widespread put PM2.5 into the air across a wide region. For people far from the flames, the bigger immediate risk is smoke. It can travel hundreds of miles, drift across state lines overnight, and accumulate in valleys and basins where atmospheric inversions trap it close to the ground.

The PurpleAir map shows community-level PM2.5 from thousands of sensors in near real time, so you can see when smoke arrives in your area, how high it climbs, and when it begins to clear. Pair it with the EPA Fire & Smoke Map for satellite-based smoke plume detection and to cross-check sensor readings.

What to Do

If you’re under an evacuation order or warning: Follow it. Don’t wait. See When to Evacuate vs. Shelter in Place During Wildfires for how to read the official designations, and Preparing for Wildfires for go-kit and evacuation-plan guidance.

If you’re in a smoke-affected area but not in immediate fire danger:

• Stay inside with windows and doors closed when air quality is unhealthy.
• Use a portable HEPA cleaner or DIY box-fan filter in the room where you spend the most time.
• Check the PurpleAir map before opening windows or going outside.
• Wear a well-fitting N95 or P100 if you must go outdoors when smoke is high.

If you’re in a sensitive group (children, older adults, pregnant people, anyone with heart or lung disease, immunocompromised individuals, outdoor workers), reduce exposure more aggressively. See Wildfire Smoke and Sensitive Groups.

A note on the Boyle Heights warehouse fire: even though it’s not a wildfire, the air-quality concerns and protective steps are similar to a smoke event. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has urged residents in affected neighborhoods to limit outdoor activity, especially those with heart or lung conditions and children.

Conditions during fire season can shift rapidly. Check official sources, your county’s emergency management office, and the PurpleAir map for the latest evacuation and air quality information in your area.

Preparing for Wildfires: Evacuation, Smoke, and Air Quality · When to Evacuate vs. Shelter in Place During Wildfires · Wildfire Smoke and Sensitive Groups · What’s Actually in Wildfire Smoke

Monitor current conditions on the PurpleAir map or with an air quality monitor at home.