Babylon Fire surges past 38,000 acres, forcing closures in Canyonlands and Bears Ears

The Babylon Fire spread rapidly, closing a section of Canyonlands National Park. Photo: NPS Photo

SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah — A wildfire that was first reported Friday has exploded to more than 38,000 acres, prompting widespread closures in Bears Ears National Monument, the Manti-La Sal National Forest and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

The Babylon Fire is burning in Bears Ears National Monument, south of Canyonlands National Park’s Needles District. As of Monday morning, the fire had grown to 38,399 acres in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, approximately 20 miles west of Monticello, and remained 0% contained.

The fire spread rapidly over the weekend. After reaching 300 acres despite aerial firefighting efforts on Saturday, it expanded to more than 16,000 acres within the next 24 hours before more than doubling in size again by Monday morning.

Road closures in the Gooseberry Guard Station area began Saturday as the fire spread. Additional closures were implemented Sunday to support firefighting operations.

A forest closure order issued Sunday includes all Forest Service lands within the Dark Canyon Wilderness and the Bears Ears National Monument in San Juan County.

The National Park Service also closed the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park on Sunday and ordered all visitors to evacuate as the fire continued advancing north toward the park and Highway 211.

The Needles Visitor Center is closed until further notice. The park has also suspended new backcountry overnight and day-use permits, campground reservations, day hiking and scenic driving in the district until the closure is lifted.

No evacuations have been ordered outside the park closure area, but fire managers are urging the public to stay informed as conditions continue to change.