Cooler, wetter weather is helping moderate fire behavior on two major fires burning across the Four Corners region, but officials say thunderstorms may still bring lightning, gusty winds and other hazards.
On the Babylon Fire southwest of Monticello, Great Basin Team 6 assumed command from Great Basin Team 2 Tuesday morning.
The fire was last listed at about 106,600 acres and 50% contained. (2pm, July 14th, 2026)
Fire officials said thunderstorms brought welcome precipitation to the fire area Monday afternoon, moderating fire behavior. Ground crews and air support continue prioritizing the active eastern front of the fire, including direct attack where it is safe to do so and strengthening contingency lines to protect Monticello and critical infrastructure.
Firefighters are also working to secure and mop up the perimeter along North Cottonwood Creek to the north, Mule Canyon and Deep Canyon to the south, and Dark Canyon to the west.
At a Monday night community meeting, fire behavior analyst Ken Larson said humidity and moisture are reducing fire activity, but collapsing thunderstorms can still produce strong outflow winds capable of pushing fire in unpredictable directions.
Laurel Ingram, the fire’s long-term analyst, said fire modeling is showing less projected spread than earlier in the incident. She said that reflects both weather conditions and the work crews have completed on the ground.
Operations Section Chief Rich Stiles said crews have established direct and indirect strategies around much of the fire. He said teams have been working in rough terrain near Dry Mesa, Dark Canyon, Indian Creek and other areas to close gaps and increase containment.
Several San Juan County and Monticello evacuation zones remain in SET status. SET means residents should be prepared, but it is not an evacuation order. Current evacuation maps are available through San Juan County.
All National Forest lands, roads and trails within the Monticello Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest remain closed. The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park is also fully closed. BLM-managed lands west of Harts Draw Road and north through the Indian Creek Corridor to Indian Creek Falls remain closed, including Shay Mesa, Beef Basin, Dark Canyon and the Sweet Alice Wilderness Study Area.
On the Ferris Fire in Montezuma and Dolores counties, the fire is listed at 64,869 acres and 29% contained.
Firefighters made significant progress Monday, strengthening existing containment lines while implementing a new strategy to stop the fire’s northern progression.
Rainfall provided relief on the northeastern portion of the fire, though other areas received little precipitation. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and daily chances for showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to moderate fire behavior throughout the week.
On the fire’s most active northwestern edge, interagency hotshot crews are working in steep, rugged terrain along the rim of Dolores Canyon to connect containment lines with the 2017 East Rim Fire scar. Fire officials said the goal is to establish a continuous containment feature to stop the fire’s northward spread.
Suppression repair is also beginning in the southeastern part of the fire around County Road 514. Suppression repair means restoring areas affected by firefighting work, including dozer lines and other control features.
Dolores County says Zones 14A and 14B have moved back to SET status, meaning residents may return home. Officials are asking people to watch for heavy fire traffic.
San Miguel County Zone 15 has been downgraded from SET to READY. That zone includes areas from the Dolores River Canyon west to Highway 141, and from the county line north to the top of Slick Rock Hill.
Fire officials say scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue over the next few days. Gusty, erratic winds, heavy downpours and lightning are possible with those storms.
Residents should continue checking official county and fire updates for current evacuation boundaries, access rules and closure information.
