Monticello

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,...

Grand Marshal Jay Whitney ‘Buddy’ Redd. Courtesey photo

Grand Marshal Jay Whitney Redd has both Roots and Boots

by Sally Jack Contributing Writer When it comes to ‘American Boots and Monticello Roots,’ Jay Whitney Redd, Grand Marshal of this year’s Pioneer Day Parade, has got both. Jay Whitney comes from resilient pioneer stock, with San Juan County roots that reach back to his grandparents, Lemuel Hardison...

Monticello Pioneer Day Celebration

by David Boyle News Director The two-day Monticello Pioneer Day celebration runs Friday and Saturday, July 24 and 25 this year. The weekend features a community-wide celebration, along with a number of family and class reunions and other community events. A full schedule of events can be found on...

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...

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...