A rescue operation is currently in progress in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, following an avalanche that has trapped multiple individuals in the backcountry. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, February 21, 2026, prompting the dispatch of search and rescue teams and the closure of State Route 190 in both directions. The Utah Avalanche Center had previously issued warnings about the considerable avalanche danger due to recent snowfall, highlighting the unstable conditions in the area. This event follows a week marked by tragedy in Utah's mountains, with two earlier fatalities reported from separate avalanches. The Utah Avalanche Center has recorded over 50 avalanches statewide in the wake of a recent winter storm, underscoring the severity of the situation.