SAN JUAN COUNTY, Utah — The rapidly expanding Babylon Fire in southeast Utah has destroyed four structures, according to the latest update on Tuesday.
It has also forced the closure of numerous roads, parts of Canyonlands National Park and a portion of the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
The fire is located within Bears Ears National Monument, one mile northeast of Babylon Pasture, and winds have pushed its growth to the northeast.
The U.S. Forest Service said Tuesday that the fire is 48,258 acres with 0 percent containment.
The destroyed structures include a building owned by The Nature Conservancy and three Forest Service cabins: the Scorup Cabin, Poso Cabin, and King Edward’s Mine Cabin.
In Tuesday's update, the Forest Service expanded the closure area of the Manti-La Sal National Forest to include the entire Monticello Ranger District.
The Needles District of Canyonlands is closed, and visitors were required to evacuate. The fire is not burning in the park, however.
"The Needles Visitor Center is closed. No new backcountry overnight or day use permits will be issued nor reservations allowed for The Needles Campground, until further notice. Day hiking and scenic driving in The Needles are also not permitted until further notice," park officials said.
The following roads are now closed due to the fire:
- North Cottonwood Road
- Junction of Kigalia and North Elk Ridge toward Big Notch
- Causeway Road
- Bridger Jack Road off Highway 211
In addition, Manti La Sal National Forest has issued a closure order effective at noon Sunday, which closes all lands, roads, and trails within the Dark Canyon Wilderness and portions of the Bears Ears National Monument located in San Juan County on the Monticello Ranger District.
"The public is prohibited from entering the affected area which includes driving on closed Forest roads, or using trails within the closure boundary," the U.S. Forest Service said.
As crews attempt to battle the fire, windy conditions in the coming days, along with high temperatures and low humidity, are expected to keep fire activity high.
"Due to quickly changing needs of this wildfire, Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 2 has been ordered to support suppression efforts. Current resources are providing full suppression strategy to protect structures, infrastructure and other values while keeping firefighters and the public safe," officials said.
