The Babylon Fire continues to burn across 101,073 acres with containment estimated at 21%. According to the U.S. Forest Service, crews are working on the north end of the fire perimeter to increase containment while managing high fire activity in the northeast corner near Shay Mountain.
Firefighters are facing steep terrain and fuel-driven winds in areas of dry timber. Night operations have commenced to provide round-the-clock resources to the most active parts of the fire.
Tactical operations include the use of infrared technology to locate and map heat sources. Crews are working to extinguish residual heat and strengthen control features designed to keep the fire within the indirect containment boundary.
Along the southern edge, hot shot crews utilized fixed wing and helicopter support to mop up heat sources near the head of Hammond Canyon. Efforts are also underway to create more handline near the southeast edge of the fire.
Weather conditions have provided some relief due to isolated showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday evening. This moisture helped moderate fire behavior and delayed the development of dry lightning, though Wednesday's forecast remains hot with winds transitioning to a westerly flow. High instability in the atmosphere and extremely dry fuels continue to pose a threat of increased fire behavior.
Several evacuation zones in San Juan County are currently under SET status, including Zones CY-1, CY-2, Peter’s Hill – West, Airport, Energy, and SJC-1.
Significant land closures are in effect. All National Forest lands, roads, and trails in the Monticello Ranger District of the Manti–La Sal National Forest are closed to the public, as is the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed all BLM managed public lands west of Harts Draw Road and north through the Indian Creek Corridor to Indian Creek Falls.
The public is instructed to stay out of closure areas formed by State Route 211 to the north, U.S. Route 191 to the east, and State Route 95 to the south.
