Moab • The Manti-La Sal National Forest has closed the entire Monticello Ranger District as the Babylon Fire grew to 48,258 acres and destroyed multiple structures, while other public land restrictions remain in place across San Juan County.

Moab’s air quality was in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category Tuesday afternoon amid wildfire smoke from multiple large fires burning across Utah and the surrounding region, including the Cottonwood Fire in south-central Utah.

The closure took effect at noon Monday under a new Forest Service order and applies to all National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the district. It will remain in place through Aug. 31 unless conditions allow for earlier reopening.

The Babylon Fire remained 0% contained Tuesday afternoon, according to an updated incident report. The report said strong winds and dry conditions pushed the fire northwest on Monday, with crews using indirect containment strategies and natural barriers to work through steep, rugged terrain.

Fire crews are focusing on indirect containment strategies, using natural terrain features as barriers to slow the fire’s spread. Fire weather conditions remain critical, with hot, dry and windy conditions expected to continue across the fire area.

The fire has destroyed four structures, including one owned by The Nature Conservancy and three Forest Service structures — the Scorup Cabin, Poso Cabin and King Edward’s Mine Cabin — according to the incident report.

The fire started Friday, June 26, about 25 miles southwest of Monticello and has burned through portions of San Juan County near Blanding.

The Bureau of Land Management issued a separate fire prevention order closing large areas west of Harts Draw Road and across portions of the Indian Creek corridor, Shay Mesa, Beef Basin, Dark Canyon and Sweet Alice areas.

San Juan County has also closed several roads, including North Cottonwood Road, Causeway Road, Bridger Jack Road off Utah Highway 211 and the junction of Kigalia and North Elk Ridge toward Big Notch.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect Tuesday afternoon across multiple Utah counties, including San Juan and Grand, due to gusty winds, low humidity and dry conditions, according to Utah Fire Info.

A complex incident management team is scheduled to assume command of the Babylon Fire Wednesday at 6 a.m. as suppression efforts continue. The report said crews are prioritizing firefighter safety due to difficult terrain and rapidly changing fire conditions.

No evacuations have been ordered for nearby communities, according to an incident update, which urged residents and visitors to remain alert and follow local guidance as conditions change.

Additional fire information is available on the Babylon Fire InciWeb page.

This story was first published by The Times-Independent.