The National Park Service ordered all visitors to evacuate the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park on Sunday as the rapidly expanding Babylon Fire prompted a precautionary closure of the area. The fire, which began burning Saturday in Bears Ears National Monument near Blanding, has grown to 38,399 acres and remains 0% contained as of Monday morning.
Rapid expansion and park closure
While the blaze has not yet spread into Canyonlands National Park, officials implemented the closure due to the fire's progression toward the park and Highway 211. The Moab Times reported on Monday that the Babylon Fire experienced a massive surge in size over a single day, growing from 300 acres to 16,171 acres during a 24-hour period ending Sunday.
Current fire size and containment
Holly Shyrer, the public affairs officer for the Manti-La Sal National Forest, confirmed that the fire reached 38,399 acres by Monday morning. As of that time, there was no containment recorded for the wildfire.
Impact on visitor services
The closure has resulted in significant restrictions for visitors to the Needles District. The Needles Visitor Center is closed until further notice, and the National Park Service has suspended several activities and services. These suspensions include new backcountry overnight and day-use permits, campground reservations, day hiking, and scenic driving within the district until the closure is lifted.
Forest Service land closures
In addition to the National Park Service's actions, the U.S. Forest Service has issued its own closures in response to the fire. The agency closed National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Dark Canyon Wilderness, as well as portions of Bears Ears National Monument on the Monticello Ranger District. This closure took effect Sunday and is scheduled to remain in place through August 31, unless it is rescinded earlier.
Specific road and trail restrictions
The Forest Service order prohibits the public from entering the affected area, specifically banning driving on closed forest roads or using trails within the designated closure boundary. Specific roads identified as closed due to the fire include North Cottonwood Road, Causeway Road, Bridger Jack Road off Highway 211, and the junction of Kigalia and North Elk Ridge toward Big Notch.
Community safety and wildfire trends
While no evacuation orders have been issued for nearby communities, the U.S. Forest Service has urged residents to stay informed through local officials in the event that fire conditions change. The Babylon Fire is part of a broader trend of several wildfires burning across Utah during a period of elevated wildfire danger.
