Babylon

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Babylon Fire ignited around 2:15 p.m. MDT on Friday, June 26, 2026, on Elk Ridge in the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, approximately 25 miles southwest of Monticello in San Juan County, Utah.
Size and Containment: As of July 18, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 107,173 acres and is currently between 62% and 82% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially reported at 120 acres, the fire expanded rapidly over its first two weeks due to steep, rugged terrain, wind alignment, and critically dry fuels. At its peak, it expanded by thousands of acres a day. Over the last 72 hours, overall growth has slowed significantly, with primarily smoldering and creeping fire in heavy, dead, and downed fuels, aided by increased monsoonal moisture.
Containment Efforts: Over 1,250 personnel are assigned to the fire, including 34 crews, 17 helicopters, 53 engines, 3 dozers, and 20 water tenders. Over the last 72 hours, firefighters successfully completed a critical burnout operation on the eastern side of the fire to remove unburned vegetation between the fire's edge and established hand lines. Heavy equipment continues constructing contingency fuel breaks through mastication. Federal agencies have spent over $20 million on the firefighting effort to date.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory "GO" evacuation orders in place.
Evacuation Warnings: As of July 15, evacuation areas have been downgraded to "READY" or "SET" status. Dozens of residents in the Monticello area and San Juan County zones (including CY-1, CY-2, Peter's Hill-West, Airport, Energy, and SJC-1) who were previously packed and ready to flee are no longer being asked to evacuate, but should remain prepared to do so if conditions worsen.
Curfew: No curfews are currently reported.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: With evacuations downgraded, standby sheltering information is being coordinated by local emergency management. Residents can monitor updates and identify their evacuation zone using San Juan County resources.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Partial closures are in effect for Canyonlands National Park, specifically impacting the Needles District.
• Tourism and recreational access are shut down in affected areas of the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
• Residents and visitors are advised to avoid non-essential travel in the fire area to allow firefighters room to work and heavy equipment to move safely.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info
• San Juan County Sheriff's Office
• Manti-La Sal National Forest Updates

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been 0 reported fatalities or injuries directly attributed to the Babylon Fire.
Structures Impacted: Crews have confirmed that 5 structures have been destroyed, which primarily consist of historic cabins.
School and Business Closures: Tourism has been shut down in the forest and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Livestock and grazing operations have been severely disrupted.
Notable Impacts: The loss of historic cabins represents a significant cultural impact to the area. The emotional toll on local residents is substantial, with many facing anxiety and uncertainty due to the massive scale of the fire and the disruption to the local agricultural economy.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No widespread power outages are currently reported, but infrastructure remains closely monitored.
Water Safety and Flooding: The San Juan County Sheriff's Office has issued warnings about the increased dangers of flash flooding and debris flows after a major fire, especially with incoming monsoonal moisture and thunderstorms.
Burn Bans: Standard fire restrictions and burn bans are in effect across the region due to extreme fire danger.
Air Quality: Smoke from smoldering heavy fuels may pose health risks, particularly for those with respiratory conditions. Residents are advised to monitor local air quality advisories and stay indoors when smoke is heavy.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment increasing, crews are taking advantage of the weather to engage in direct attack where appropriate and work toward completing fire lines to protect local communities and critical infrastructure. Suppression repair work is underway in some areas to return them to pre-fire conditions. As containment increases, the incident management team will begin removing excess equipment.
Weather and Wind Warnings: High temperatures are expected to reach the mid-to-upper 80s, with winds out of the southeast turning southerly in the afternoon with gusts up to 18 mph. There is a 65-75% chance of scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms daily. While increased atmospheric moisture and wetting rains help moderate fire behavior, thunderstorms may produce lightning and strong, erratic outflow winds, increasing the potential for new starts and flash floods.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: Investigators have determined that the Babylon Fire was caused by a lightning strike near the Babylon Pasture.
Weather and Climate: The fire's explosive early growth was fueled by extreme fire weather conditions, including a record-dry winter, high heat, 50 mph winds, and a prolonged lack of humidity. State forestry officials have noted that fires are spreading farther and faster under conditions that defy historical expectations, driven by incredibly dry conditions, steep terrain, and broader extreme climate patterns affecting the region.

For more information, visit:

• Utah Fire Info
• San Juan County Emergency Management
• InciWeb - Incident Information System