Evacuation warnings have been scaled back for residents near the Babylon Fire southwest of Monticello, as firefighters continue to make steady progress on both that blaze and the Ferris Fire burning in southwest Colorado.
San Juan County Emergency Management says all areas previously under SET status for the Babylon Fire have now returned to READY status — meaning there are currently no evacuation restrictions in place. Officials caution, however, that the fire remains active and residents should continue monitoring updates.
The Babylon Fire has burned more than 106,000 acres and is now 54% contained. Fire managers say recent thunderstorms have brought much-needed moisture, helping to slow fire behavior.
Great Basin Team 6 took command of the fire earlier this week. Crews are focusing on the fire’s eastern edge, where activity has been most persistent, working to strengthen containment lines and protect nearby communities, infrastructure and other resources.
Firefighters are also securing and mopping up areas along the fire’s perimeter, including regions near North Cottonwood Creek, Mule Canyon, Deep Canyon and Dark Canyon.
As conditions improve, officials say some firefighting resources may begin to scale back, and crews have started repairing areas impacted by suppression efforts.
Still, weather remains unpredictable. Forecasters say there’s a strong chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms through the end of the week. While rain can help dampen flames, storms may also bring lightning, gusty winds and the risk of flash flooding or debris flows.
Meanwhile, the Ferris Fire in Montezuma and Dolores counties has reached 43% containment. The fire has burned nearly 65,000 acres and continues to be staffed by more than 1,100 personnel.
Fire officials say a strategy focused on securing the most active portions of the fire is showing results. Crews are building containment lines along the northern edge, supported by aircraft and specialized equipment, in an effort to limit further spread.
Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and increased chances of rain are expected to reduce fire activity in the coming days. Officials say the region’s fire danger rating has already dropped from high to moderate and could fall further.
Crews are also using infrared-equipped drones to locate lingering hot spots, while beginning to shift some operations toward repairing fire-damaged areas and removing equipment no longer needed.
Despite the progress, evacuation orders remain in place for parts of the Ferris Fire area. Zones 2 and 16 on the northern flank of the fire are still under GO status, meaning residents should leave immediately. Several other zones remain in SET status, indicating people should be prepared to evacuate if conditions change.
Officials in Dolores, Montezuma and San Miguel counties urge residents to stay informed through official channels and check evacuation maps regularly.
Fire managers say while recent weather has helped, conditions can change quickly — and continued vigilance is key as crews work toward full containment.
