SAN JUAN COUNTY, July 16, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — The Babylon Fire, burning since June 26 in San Juan County, stands at 107,173 acres and 62% contained as of a Thursday evening report.
Personnel assigned to the fire, located 25 miles southwest of Monticello, number 1,255. Crews number 34. Seventeen helicopters are on scene, as 53 engines, three dozers, and 20 water tenders.
“Firefighters successfully completed a burnout operation on the eastern side of the fire. The burnout removed unburned vegetation between the fire’s edge and established hand lines, reducing the fire’s ability to spread across the fire lines. Crews had been preparing for several days, waiting until conditions were ideal to safely complete the operation.
“Although increased moisture is moderating fire behavior, the Babylon Fire remains active. Even when smoke is not visible, fire continues to burn in heavy fuels and underground root systems, particularly in remote, steep, and rugged terrain where access is difficult. Firefighters will continue securing and extinguishing hot spots in these areas as conditions allow.
“Heavy equipment continues constructing contingency fuel breaks through mastication, a process that grinds vegetation into small pieces and supports post-fire recovery by creating a protective layer of mulch that helps retain soil moisture and reduce erosion during future rain events.”
Fire behavior was expected to remain moderate through Thursday, with primarily smoldering and creeping fire in heavy, dead, and downed fuels.
Evacuations were downgraded Wednesday to Ready status. Visit the San Juan County Sheriff’s social media page for updates.
Thursday evening, the page shared a graphic warning residents and visitors about the the increased dangers of flash flooding and debris flows after a major fire. Find it below.
Source: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office-Utah
