Beaver County declares local emergency for Cottonwood Fire, approves Resolution 2026-10

Beaver County commissioners convened an emergency meeting at 9 a.m. on June 24, 2026, and unanimously approved Resolution No. 2026-10, declaring a local emergency for the Cottonwood Fire. Commissioner Tammy Pearson moved "to authorize the Chair's signature on Resolution 2026-10," a motion that Commissioner Brandon Yardley seconded; the motion passed with all three commissioners recorded as voting in favor.

The action formally declares a local emergency for the Cottonwood Fire and authorizes the chair of the Board of County Commissioners to sign the resolution on the county's behalf. Attending county officials listed in the record included Chairman Wade Hollingshead; Commissioner Tammy Pearson; Commissioner Brandon Yardley; Matt Sterzer, Commission Coordinator; Chloee Anderson, Assistant Commission Coordinator; and County Attorney Von Christiansen. The meeting minutes include a transparency note that some portions were edited with assistance from ChatGPT for formatting and clarity.

The declaration is intended to allow the county to exercise emergency authorities and seek any applicable mutual aid or state support; the transcript records only the adoption of the resolution and does not specify subsequent operational steps, specific resource requests, or funding allocations. No vote counts beyond the unanimous approval were recorded; no amendments or separate motions were taken.