A Closure Order was issued for all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within parts of the Bears Ears National Monument and the complete Dark Canyon Wilderness area in San Juan County. The order was implemented in response to the Babylon Fire.
Manti-La Sal National Forest representatives stated that the closure took effect at noon on a Sunday and was scheduled to remain in place through August 31, 2026. During this period, the public was prohibited from entering these boundaries.
Officials stated that the closure was part of multiple efforts intended to protect public health and safety while wildfire operations were active on the Babylon Fire.
The fire, which was burning one mile northeast of Babylon Pasture, increased significantly in size within a 24-hour period. It expanded from 300 acres on Saturday to 16,171 acres as of Sunday afternoon. The fire ignited on a Friday and had 0% containment at the time of the report.
Despite the rapid expansion of the blaze, no evacuation orders were issued in response to the fire.
