Public Lands

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,...

helicopter carries a load of water toward Abajo Peak submitted by Talmage Nielson,

Babylon Fire crews get 50% containment

by Bill Boyle SJR Editor An army of more than 1,500 firefighters, from nearly every corner of the nation, have converged on San Juan County to fight the massive Babylon Fire. Over a two-week period, the lightning-caused fire that started near the Babylon Pasture on Elk Ridge grew to become the...

Fire damage in the North Cottonwood area submitted by Gabe Clarke

A week of firefighting efforts sees growth from 0 to 50% contained

After a grueling week of record-breaking heat and explosive fire behavior, the Babylon Fire has reached a critical 50% containment. The wildfire, which has dominated the landscape of San Juan County for over two weeks, is now estimated at 106,610 acres. This milestone marks a significant turning...

Screenshot from the broadcast of President Trump's signing of two proclamations reducing Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante Monuments.

President Trump reduces size of Bears Ears National Monument from 1.36 million to 121,100 acres

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 13 once again reducing the size of the Bears Ears National Monument. The proclamation reduces the size of the Bears Ears Monument from approximately 1.36 million acres to 121,100 acres, an action the White House described as “Rightsizing”. In...

President Trump signs proclamation reducing Bears Ears Monument to 121,100 acres

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...