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Babylon Fire

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Babylon Fire
Part of the 2026 Utah wildfires
Date
  • June 26, 2026- present
Statistics
StatusOngoing wildfire
Perimeter95% contained
Burned area107,189 acres
Impacts
Deaths0
Structures destroyed5
Ignition
CauseLightning[1]

The Babylon Fire is a large wildfire currently burning in the southeastern part of the state of Utah. As of July 21, 2026, the fire is 107,189 acres and 93% contained.[2][3][4][5] It is also the largest wildfire currently burning in the state of Utah, and at one point the largest in the entire United States.[6][7]

Progression

[edit]

The fire was reported around 2:15 pm MDT on June 26, 2026. By 7:00 pm, the fire had spread to 120 acres and was zero percent contained. It initially burned slowly, burning 300 acres by June 27.[2]Driven by red flag conditions, on June 28, the fire rapidly expanded to the northeast, expanding to 16,171 acres, an expansion of nearly 53 times its size. This figure had grown to 38,399 acres by early on June 29 in steep terrain and wind alignment.[2] Crews have confirmed that 5 structures had been destroyed.[8]

The fire had then expanded to 53,871 acres by June 30 running up and around Horse Mountain, with the fire still expanding to over 70,000 acres on July 1.[9][2] On July 3 and the 4, after some slightly moderated fire growth (still growing at least 5,000 acres a day), flames changed direction due to a wind shift and made a run toward Monticello.[10] In result, the fire grew steadily to 90,445 acres by July 5. That day, several evacuation warnings were issued to the east due to an increase in fire activity near the Skull and Crossbones Summit. This was however said to be "anticipated"[failed verification] by firefighters continuing operations and digging containment lines.[11]

The next morning, the fire was mapped at over 96,000 acres, making it the largest wildfire burning in the United States, and the largest wildfire of the year in Utah, surpassing the Cottonwood Fire. Over 1,000 personnel were assigned and working to halt spread as it was still 0% contained. More active fire behavior was expected and had occurred to the northeast in the coming days as soon the fire surpassed 100,000 acres.[12][13][14] Most of this activity was caused by steep terrain, fuel loading, and incredibly dry conditions.[15]

Effects

[edit]

The fire caused emergency closures for the areas in and around the Manti–La Sal National Forest, which would extend all of the way until August of this year. This means that access is blocked to the public by firefighters in order for them to work the fire safely. The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park is fully closed as well. The Bureau of Land Management temporarily closed areas miles large in areas that were deemed unsafe for people to visit.[16][17] The fire also caused air quality concerns for much of the region, including Monticello.[18]That same day, fire containment increased to 11%, and then 21% the next day.[19]

Growth and Containment

[edit]
Date Acres Burned Containment Citation
June 26 120
0%
0%		 [2]
June 27 300
0%
0%
June 28 16,171
0%
June 29 38,399
0%
June 30 53,871
0%
July 1 70,734
0%
July 2 79,795
0%
July 3 85,370
0%
July 4 87,660
0%
July 5 90,445
0%
July 6 96,564
0%
July 7 100,478 11%
July 8 101,073 21%
July 9 102,932 25%
July 10 103,633 44%
July 11 104,252 47%
July 12-14 106,610 50%
July 15 107,104 57%
July 16 107,173 62%
July 17 107,173 82%
July 18 107,173 93%
July 19 107,173 95%

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Babylon Fire caused by lightning, investigators determine". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  3. ↑ KUTV, Aubree B. Jennings (July 3, 2026). "Nation's second largest fire burns over 85,000 acres in southeastern Utah". KUTV. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Babylon Fire Map | San Juan, Utah". WildFire Explorer. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Babylon fire map, Inciweb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 13, 2026. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  6. ↑ Brittan, Ryan (July 6, 2026). "'A lot of things are against us': Babylon Fire becomes largest wildfire in the U.S., grows to more than 96,000 acres".
  7. ↑ "Babylon Fire burns over 100,000 acres, largest active fire in the nation". June 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Babylon Fire becomes largest wildfire in the U.S., grows to more than 96,000 acres". Retrieved July 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Babylon Fire grows past 70,000 acres in Bears Ears National Monument, remains 0% contained". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Babylon Fire crews expand structure protection ahead of wind shift toward Monticello". www.moabtimes.com. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Babylon Fire tops 96,500 acres as firefighters bolster defenses near Monticello". www.moabtimes.com. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Babylon Fire becomes largest wildfire in the U.S., grows to more than 96,000 acres". July 6, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Babylon Fire Daily Update 07-06-2026". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Babylon Fire nears 103,000 acres, heat threatens fire growth". July 9, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Babylon fire update for July 7, 2026". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 10, 2026. Retrieved July 10, 2026.
  16. ↑ "BLM Babylon Fire Closure Map" (PDF). June 5, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Manti-La Sal National Forest | Monticello Ranger District Closure Order - Babylon Fire | Forest Service". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Babylon Fire Air Quality and Smoke Outlook 07-06-2026". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  19. ↑ Martin, Michael (July 2, 2026). "Babylon Fire now 21% contained, grows to over 101,000 acres". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). Retrieved July 9, 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Babylon_Fire&oldid=1366441925"