Babylon Fire Fully Contained; Forest Area Reopened After Two-Month Burn

The Babylon Fire, which began as a natural ignition on June 25, burned 107,189 acres before the U.S. Forest Service confirmed it was 100% contained on Friday. Following the containment, the agency rescinded the special closure for the Monticello Ranger District within the Manti-La Sal National Forest, allowing public access while warning that pockets of smoke may linger. The fire, responsible for the loss of several structures, was the first to surpass 100,000 acres in eight years and helped push the state's total burned area to a historic 290,000 acres for the year, according to a University of Utah study.

Although the blaze is now surrounded by a mix of natural and man-made firebreaks, Forest Service personnel will remain on site to deter any new ignitions. The forest continues to operate under stage two fire restrictions, limiting open flames and certain equipment use to safeguard visitors. The Babylon Fire had previously ranked among the nation’s largest active fires.