Fires consumes nearly 80,000 acres, close Abajo portion of National Forest

A combination of a record-dry winter, low humidity, high temperatures and howling winds have combined to create one of the most dangerous fire seasons in recent memory in San Juan County.
The Babylon Fire, which started near the Babylon Pasture on Elk Ridge on Friday, June 26, has exploded. As of July 2, the fire had consumed nearly 80,000 acres and was classified as having zero percent containment. The leading edge of the fire has moved into BLM ground and the perimeter has grown to the east and the west.
Fire managers will hold a public meeting at 6 pm on Thursday, July 2 at the Blanding Arts and Events Center on the Utah State University Blanding campus.
A second meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, July 6 at the Hideout Community Center in Monticello.
The eventual boundaries of the fire may extend to the north and east until conditions change or the fire runs out of fuel. The Blue Creek drainage, Shay Ridge, Shay Mountain, North Cottonwood, Bridger Jack, Salt Creek and more may be at risk if the fire continues to move toward the north and east.
Additionally, fire managers are preparing for a critical wind shift on July 3 and 4 that may push the flames to the east into the Abajo Mountain portion of the National Forest. Officials state that such a shift could add a strong west wind component and push the fire eastward, possibly threatening communications infrastructure on Abajo Peak and the Monticello area.
"The Babylon Fire is a weather-driven event," said Chip Favor, a public information officer assigned to the fire. "You can't take away the wind and the heat, but you can remove fuel."
Favor visited with the Redrock Morning Show on July 2. A podcast of the interview can be heard at redrock92.com
Favor said a new strategy for the firefighting effort is the need to use indirect suppression efforts because of the conditions. He added that this will use existing roads to set up barriers between the fire and the communities of Blanding and Monticello, if the wind direction changes.
"A wind change is a possibility and we preparing to be ready if a shift takes place," said Favor.
Roads the may be used for the Indirect Confinement Strategy - in a clockwise direction – include the Elk Ridge Road, Peavine and Woodenshoe Road, up to Highway 211 on the north, and County Road 136 to the northeast, which is the paved road west from Monticello to Highway 211. To the south of Monticello, crews intend a series of roads and trails to set up a perimeter toward Blanding.
Structure protection efforts are underway at the housing for the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Kirk's Cabin, and the Dugout Ranch and the North Cottonwood Guard Station.
An army of fire fighters – totaling 352 people on July 2 and expected to grow – has been assigned to battle the blaze. The Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 2 has set up headquarters in Blanding. The army could grow to up to 1,000 people.
The group brings significant resources to the battle, including fire fighters on the ground, in addition to fixed wing and helicopter aircraft.
The current challenge is impacted by the rugged and inaccessible terrain. "The terrain is uber-treacherous," said Favor.
The terrain, along with dangerous fire conditions, make fighting the blaze head-on impossible. Favor added, "No one is in front of the fire.
In addition, heavy winds decrease the ability to use aircraft, including helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Under favorable conditions, tankers can be sent to fight the flames from as far away as Grand Junction, Phoenix, Boise, Las Vegas and Cedar City.
A number of roads and areas are closed to all except those involved in the firefighting effort. Closure includes all National Forest Service roads on the Abajo Mountain portion of the US Forest Service. Highway 211 is closed beginning at Milepost 11 and the Harts Draw road is closed.
The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park was closed on June 28.
Officials state that these closures are necessary to provide firefighters with safe access to the fire area and to allow emergency equipment to move efficiently. Please do not attempt to bypass barricades or travel on these roads. Keeping these routes clear is essential to supporting fire suppression efforts and protecting lives.
No cause of the fire has been determined. There were several lightning storms in the area prior to the start of the fire.
One day after the Babylon Fire was reports, the Horsehead Fire started on BLM ground southwest of Eastland. Once again, wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour fanned the flames, which grew to nearly 600 acres.
Crews responded to the fire, which started in pinion trees adjacent to wheat fields. Several local farmers joined the effort and plowed fields in front of the growing flames.
After some anxious hours for residents of Eastland, crews have been able to gain the upper hand on the fire. It was reported as 50 percent contained as of the press deadline on June 30.
Officials reports that as of the press deadline, structures are no longer threatened and crews hoped to secure up to 75 percent containment by the end of the day.
Three hand crews, two engines, two water tenders and a UT state task force were working their way around the perimeter of the fire.
Fires are active in areas adjacent to San Juan County, including the Snyder Fire, which started in Grand County northeast of Moab and has moved into Colorado, with more than 30,000 acres burned and zero percent containment.
Five firefighters were involved in a burnover, which is when flames trap or overtake crews. They deployed emergency shelters but three of the firefighters were killed and two injured.
They were identified as Emily Barker, age 38 from Michigan, Nick Hutcherson, age 27 from Arizona, and Sydney Watson, age 26 from Alabama.
Barker and Watson were on federal helitack teams, and Hutcherson was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.
In other fires in the immediate area, nearly 20,000 acres have burned in the Ferris Fire east of Pleasant View and 113 acres have burned in the McCloud Fire south of Dove Creek
The fire conditions have resulted in strict burn restrictions in most areas, including a ban on personal fireworks entering the Independence Day celebrations.
Local officials ask residents to check their properties and take steps to eliminate fire risk.