San Juan County announced in a social media post that areas previously under Ready status had returned to normal status and that no active evacuation notifications remained in effect. The post said conditions had improved enough that the notifications were no longer necessary, although the fire remains active and crews continue suppression, patrol and monitoring work.
Monday’s Babylon Fire update reported the fire at 107,189 acres and 95% containment, slightly up from 107,173 acres and 62% containment Friday. Five structures have been destroyed since the lightning-caused fire began June 26 on Elk Ridge in the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, about 25 miles southwest of Monticello.
Staffing continued to decline as more of the response shifted toward repair and monitoring, with 715 personnel assigned Monday. The response included 21 crews, six helicopters, 12 engines, one dozer and 11 water tenders.
Fire managers said crews made significant progress Sunday chipping limbs, logs and other woody debris produced during suppression work and expected to complete the remaining chipping Monday. The work reduces dry fuel near containment lines and helps preserve their effectiveness.
Suppression repair, patrol and mop-up operations remain underway throughout the fire area. Recent rainfall damaged roads on the fire’s eastern side and slowed engine access in some locations, while firefighters continued working on slick ground and in steep terrain around fire-weakened trees that can fall without warning.
Drones continue supporting operations in rugged areas where firefighter access is limited or conditions prevent the safe use of crewed aircraft. Fire managers said drones equipped with thermal imaging are being used to locate hot spots, patrol containment lines and support suppression and mop-up work.
A drone also helped firefighters locate a lightning strike Sunday after aircraft detected it, allowing crews to respond quickly. Hundreds of lightning strikes were reported near the Babylon Fire on Saturday, igniting several new fires in the surrounding area. Resources assigned to the Babylon Fire assisted local agencies with those incidents.
The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park reopened Saturday after being closed because of the fire. Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon and Davis Canyon roads remain closed to motor vehicles and bicycles. Highway 211, Bureau of Land Management lands north of the highway and portions of the Monticello Ranger District reopened Friday.
(The Times-Independent) A rainbow arcs over the Babylon Fire's Woodenshoe Spike Camp west of Blanding, Utah, following a rainstorm on July 17, 2026.
Despite recent rain, fire managers warned that vegetation across the Manti-La Sal National Forest remains unusually dry. Large logs and other heavy fuels were measured at about 9% moisture content Sunday, meaning they remained capable of sustaining prolonged, intense fire under hot, dry and windy conditions. Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect in reopened areas of the Monticello Ranger District, while a fuels and fire behavior advisory remains in effect across the Great Basin region.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected Monday afternoon and evening. Lightning, gusty outflow winds and heavy rain could create hazards for firefighters and increase the risk of flash flooding or debris flows in burned areas.
Additional fire information is available on the Babylon Fire InciWeb page, while evacuation updates are available through San Juan County and its AlertSense notification system.
This story was first published by The Times-Independent.