Wildfire burning on public lands in southern Utah now at more than 38,000 acres and zero percent contained
Babylon Wildfire from Canyonlands (Photo: NPS)
Published June 29, 2026 02:01 pm
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) closed Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument and Dark Canyon Wilderness on Sunday, June 28, due to the Babylon Wildfire. The same day, the National Park Service (NPS) announced it was also closing the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
In the three days since it started, the Babylon wildfire has consumed 38,399 acres and, at the time of this writing, is zero percent contained.
While the Needles District is temporarily closed, the NPS clarified in its press release that the fire is not burning in Canyonlands National Park. Nevertheless, all visitors to the Needles district were asked to evacuate immediately.
“The Needles Visitor Center is closed. No new backcountry night or day use permits will be issued nor will reservations be allowed for the Needles Campground until further notice.” release Reads. “Day hiking and scenic driving are also not allowed in The Needles until further notice.”
state of emergency
The first reports of the Babylon fire came in at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Friday, June 18. fox 13 utahThe fire spread from 300 acres to 16,000 acres in just 24 hours. High winds over the weekend pushed the fire northeast of Bears Ears and Mani-LaSalle National Forests, toward the southern perimeter of the Canyonlands. At 38,399 acres, it is now the third-largest wildfire in Utah, behind the Iron Wildfire (41,467 acres) and the Cottonwood Wildfire (93,918).
Currently, the Babylon Wildfire is burning about 20 miles east of Monticello. No evacuation orders have been given yet, but the public has been put on alert.
As Utah battles multiple fires across the state, Governor Spencer J. Cox declared a state of emergency on Saturday, June 25. He issued an executive order banning the use of fireworks statewide ahead of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.
“Utahans love to celebrate the Fourth of July with family, friends and fireworks,” Cox said. a statement. “So do I. But this year is different. We’re seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they’ve never seen before.”
what’s at stake?
Bears Ears National Monument is home to over 100,000 known archaeological and cultural heritage sites. It has been a sacred place for generations to the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, and Ute Indian tribes. Its landscape is a picturesque high desert, dotted with plateaus, mountains and valleys, surrounded by a rich biodiversity of plant and animal life.
The Babylon Wildfire started just north of Elk Ridge Road in the Manti-La Sal National Forest within Bears Ears. It has since moved northeast toward Cathedral Butte, a popular route to access Canyonlands’ Salt Creek Canyon. The area, which is within the Needles District, also contains the remains of several Native dwellings and rock art.
