The Babylon Fire southwest of Monticello reached 50% containment Monday morning after firefighters made significant progress over the weekend even as the wildfire grew to over 106,600 acres.

Fire managers reported crews continued working along the fire’s active eastern edge near Jackson Ridge Monday while strengthening contingency lines to protect Monticello and critical infrastructure should the fire move closer to the community. Firefighters are continuing day and night operations with aircraft support. As of Sunday, aircraft had dropped about 1 million gallons of water and 500,000 gallons of fire retardant to help slow the fire’s spread, according to Monday’s update.

The fire, which started June 26 about 25 miles southwest of Monticello and has burned across federal lands in southeastern Utah, has grown by about 5,500 acres since Friday morning, increasing from 101,073 acres to 106,610 acres. During that time, containment increased from 11% to 50%, according to daily updates from the Babylon Fire incident management team. The fire’s cause remains undetermined, and five structures have been destroyed.

A total of 1,372 personnel, including 41 crews, 17 helicopters, 64 engines, three dozers and 21 water tenders, are assigned to the fire as of Monday morning.

Throughout the weekend, firefighters focused on aggressive direct attacks where conditions allowed while reinforcing and connecting containment lines around the fire’s perimeter. On Saturday, crews continued suppression efforts through the Indian Creek drainage, conducted strategic burning operations in steep terrain between West Mountain and Twin Peaks and improved containment along portions of the southeastern, northwestern and western flanks. Fire managers said those efforts are intended to protect Monticello, watershed resources, the Abajo Communication Station, a wind farm and other critical infrastructure and natural resources.

By Sunday, crews had secured containment lines near Steamboat Point and Dry Mesa while continuing work in Dark Canyon and Trail Canyon. Firefighters also established a continuous retardant line from Abajo Peak to Jackson Ridge to protect the communication site there. After intense fire activity in the Indian Creek area, crews were pulled back for safety while other firefighters continued preparing Harts Draw Road.

Monday’s operations remain focused on the fire’s eastern front near Jackson Ridge while crews work to secure the perimeter along North Cottonwood Creek, Mule Canyon, Deep Canyon and Dark Canyon as weather, terrain and fire behavior allow.

Although containment has increased substantially, firefighters warned Monday that scattered thunderstorms could produce lightning and strong outflow winds capable of increasing the fire’s rate of spread. Forecasts call for higher humidity, temperatures in the upper 80s and a better chance of precipitation later this week.

Twenty-three evacuation zones remain in “SET” status, according to Monday’s update, meaning residents should be prepared to leave if conditions worsen. The affected areas include all zones west of Highway 191, south of Highway 211 and north of Highway 95.

Closures also remain in effect for the Monticello Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and portions of Bureau of Land Management land, including Shay Mesa, Beef Basin, Dark Canyon and the Sweet Alice Wilderness Study Area.

A community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Hideout Golf Course located at 648 S. Hideout Way in Monticello, where Great Basin Team 2 will introduce Great Basin Team 6 before the incoming team assumes command of the fire at 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 14. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Manti-La Sal National Forest’s Facebook page.

Additional information is available on the Babylon Fire InciWeb page.

This story was first published by The Times-Independent.