Blanding

Map of the Babylon fire with the black representing containment. The fire sparked up in June and took weeks of intense battles to get a hold of, crews are in closing stages of management of the fire. Courtesy photo

Babylon Fire at 95-percent containment after burning 107,000 acres

by David Boyle News Director Following weeks of aggressive fire behavior and a massive regional response, officials announced on Monday, July 20, that the Babylon Fire has reached 95% containment. The blaze, which consumed 107,189 acres, is now transitioning into a phase of meticulous suppression,...

Blanding City Council working on watershed protection, fences, and EMS agreement

by David Boyle News Director Blanding City Council members got updates on the Babylon Fire, Bears Ears, and approved an EMS agreement at their latest meeting. Members of the Blanding City Council and city staff shared thanks for efforts to combat the Babylon Fire and also shared plans for the...

A type 1 helicopter pulling water to help cool hotspots in areas that crews are working on Friday. Courtesy photo

Babylon Fire containment reaches halfway with monsoon season on the horizon

Containment reaches half-way on Babylon Fire as signs of monsoonal season arrival on the horizon. As of July 13, the Babylon Fire has reached 50-percent containment with the amount of acres up to 106,610 acres burned. That increase from Sunday to Monday was around just 300 acres, a relatively small...

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...

An honor guard leads the way at the July 4 Independence Day celebration in Blanding. Enter your photos in our Photo of the Week contest. We pay $10 for each photo that runs in the San Juan Record. Email entries to news@sjrnews.com. See more entries at www.sjrnews.com or on Facebook. Mindi Redd photo

Blanding celebrates 250 years since Declaration of Independence

Large crowds gathered in Blanding for an epic Fourth of July celebration to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The big Independence Day parade, which was led by an honor guard, featured a host of floats, dancers, riders and displays. In addition, fire engines drenched...

Blanding City Lifetime Achievement Award

The City of Blanding recently presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Steve and Adell Lovell in recognition of their extraordinary dedication, leadership, and service to the youth of the community. The Lovells took a place of honor in the Independence Day Parade in Blanding on July 4. Blanding...

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...