The National Park Service closed the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and ordered all visitors to evacuate Sunday as the Babylon Fire rapidly expanded across San Juan County. The wildfire, which began burning Saturday in Bears Ears National Monument near Blanding, has grown to 38,399 acres and remains 0% contained according to officials.
Park closures and evacuations
The fire's progression toward Canyonlands National Park and Highway 211 prompted the precautionary closure of the Needles District, even though the blaze has not yet spread into the park itself. The National Park Service announced that the Needles Visitor Center is closed until further notice.
Suspended recreational activities
In addition to the visitor center closure, the park has suspended several recreational activities within the district. These suspensions include all new backcountry overnight and day-use permits, campground reservations, day hiking, and scenic driving. These restrictions will remain in place until the park service lifts the closure.
Rapidly increasing fire size
The scale of the fire's growth has been significant over the last several days. Holly Shyrer, a public affairs officer for the Manti-La Sal National Forest, reported that the fire grew from 300 acres to 16,171 acres during a 24-hour period ending Sunday. By Monday morning, the total acreage reached 38,399.
Current containment and status
As of Monday morning, the Babylon Fire showed 0% containment. The blaze is currently one of several wildfires burning across the state of Utah during a period of elevated wildfire danger.
Widespread forest land closures
The U.S. Forest Service has also implemented widespread closures in response to the fire's movement. National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Dark Canyon Wilderness and specific portions of Bears Ears National Monument on the Monticello Ranger District were closed effective Sunday.
Duration of closure orders
This closure order is scheduled to remain in effect through August 31, unless it is rescinded earlier. The order prohibits any public entry into the affected area, specifically forbidding the use of trails or driving on closed forest roads within the designated boundary.
Specific road closures resulting from the fire include North Cottonwood Road, Causeway Road, and Bridger Jack Road off Highway 211. Additionally, the junction of Kigalia and North Elk Ridge toward Big Notch is closed to the public.
While no evacuation orders have been issued for nearby communities at this time, the U.S. Forest Service has urged all residents in the area to stay informed through local officials should fire conditions change.
The National Park Service stated it will continue to provide updates regarding the Needles closure as environmental conditions warrant. For those seeking more specific details on the fire's progress, additional information is being maintained on the Babylon Fire's official InciWeb page.
