Public Lands

View from Abajo Tower submitted by River Canyon Wireless on July 10. Looking toward Twin Peaks, with Indian Creek drainage in the foreground.

Babylon Fire crews hold their ground at northeast corner

As of July 10, the Babylon Fire has reached 103,633 acres with containment rising to 25%. While crews held the fire to just a 700-acre increase over the previous 24 hours it was not without a lot of effort. Fire officials reported that while the fire was active overnight, crews "held their ground"...

Officials add 16 zones to "SET" status though no official evacuations given yet for Babylon Fire

San Juan County Sheriff's office has placed additional zones in the "Set" status, though no evacuation "GO" orders have been given as of Noon on Thursday July 9. Most areas West of Highway 191 from the Dude Ranch road up to Church Rock are in the "Set" zone. Six zones to the north and west of...

Photo from 4th Reservoir taken on Wednesday night July 8. Maggie Flannery Bradford

Babylon Fire Conditions will "test mettle" on Thursday with crews battling hot conditions

The Babylon fire grew to the east overnight with crews continuing to focus on primary objectives of public safety and protecting high-value assets. The fire is up to 102,932 acres and was active late Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday. Relative humidity levels were in the single digits...

Babylon Fire reaches 11-percent containment with round-the-clock crews working on the 101,073 acre fire

Fire crews celebrate an 11-percent containment on the perimeter of the Babylon Fire while also recognizing a lot of work ahead in efforts to battle the wildfire now 101,073 acres in size. Additional crew are on scene with 1,353 personnel made up of 34 crews including 68 engines, 22 helicopters, 21...

Aerial view of the Babylon fire on July 6. Courtesy US Forest Service

Babylon Fire burns over 100,000 acres, largest active fire in the nation

The largest wildfire in the United States continues to burn in San Juan County with zero-percent containment. The Babylon Fire has burned 100,479 acres as of the San Juan Record print deadline. The fire has brought in resources from across the country with 30 crews made up of 1,204 personnel...

Zones Northwest of Monticello moved to SET status, while fire crews top 1,000

The Babylon fire has burned 96,594 acres at remains at zero-percent containment as of the morning of Monday July 6. The acreage burned puts it as the largest active fire in the US. 29 crews made up of 1,142 personnel are fighting the fire with 11 helicopters, 56 engines, four dozers and 15 water...

Helicopter landing with supplies to wrap Kirk's Cabin in the Salt Creek area of Canyonlands National Park.

Babylon Fire at 85,000 acres, additional resources arriving

The Babylon Fire is at 85,370 acres as of the last official report on July 3 at 8:00 am. 11 crews made up of 524 personnel are battling the flames including seven helicopters, 17 engines, two dozers and five water tenders. Over 200 members of the public attended meetings held on Thursday July 2 at...

The Babylon Fire has consumed nearly 50,000 acres of Forest Service ground on Elk Ridge since it ignited on June 26. You can see more photos of the fire at the San Juan Record website at www.sjrnews.com or on Facebook. David Kartchner photo

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...

Prescribed fires in the area

The Manti-La Sal National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations beginning late March within San Juan County, pending all required approvals. They estimate the work to continue through April as weather conditions allow. Prescribed fires help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect...

BLM announces 2026 raptor avoidance areas for Indian Creek

Each spring the BLM urges climbers and outdoor recreationists to avoid certain areas in Indian Creek from March through late summer to protect nesting raptors. Falcons, eagles and hawks return annually to nest on cliffs and rock walls, and human disturbance can jeopardize their success. This annual...