Canyonlands National Park has temporarily closed the Needles District as crews fight the nearby Babylon Fire.
As of Monday afternoon, the Babylon Fire has burned more than 38,000 acres and is 0% contained since it sparked on June 26.
The National Park Service says the fire is traveling north toward the park and is asking all visitors to evacuate immediately. The park service is not issuing any new backcountry overnight or day use permits and day hiking and scenic drives in the Needles District are not permitted.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office also closed state Route 211 near mile post nine.
Utah has seen nearly 390 wildfires so far this year, with the Cottonwood Fire, the state’s largest blaze, burning nearly 94,000 acres in a week.
