San Juan County Utah

Officials say wetter weather is helping moderate fire behavior, but thunderstorms may still bring lightning, heavy rain and erratic winds.

Thunderstorms and higher humidity are helping moderate fire behavior on the Babylon and Ferris fires, but officials say lightning, outflow winds and debris flows remain possible.

The Babylon Fire southwest of Monticello is 103,633 acres and 25% contained. Officials say crews are focused on the fire’s eastern edge, where layers of defense are being built west of town.

The Babylon Fire southwest of Monticello is about 102,900 acres and 21% contained. Crews are prioritizing the Indian Creek and Twin Peaks area after active overnight burning.

Fire officials say the Babylon Fire’s rapid growth was driven by lightning, drought, dry fuels, steep terrain and Red Flag conditions. Crews are preparing lines near Monticello-area values at risk, but officials said no evacuations were in place at the time of a Blanding community meeting.

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Around the country, native groups and supporters have joined prayer runs to raise awareness for missing and murdered indigenous people. A multi-day run over hundreds of miles ended in San Juan County, Utah late last month. From KZMU in Moab, Justin Higginbottom spoke with participants about the crisis.

Builders at Utah State University’s Blanding campus have been working on a traditional Native American Hogan since May. It’s finally ready. KZMU’s Justin Higginbottom reports on the structure’s importance for students and the community.

Two small wildfires broke out yesterday in the San Juan National Forest; In Southeast Utah, authorities are decreasing or removing fire restrictions on Friday in parts of San Juan, Carbon, Emery, Grand counties.

Montezuma County residents should wear masks indoors once again due to increased transmission of COVID-19 in the count, according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; In Southeast Utah, Highway 95 was closed on Tuesday about nine miles east of Blanding; The fire ban has been lifted in Montezuma County.