Summer continues to bring both unforgettable experiences and unexpected challenges across the Colorado Plateau. As the Babylon Fire impacts southeastern Utah, we're reminded just how deeply these landscapes connect our communities.

This month, we're sharing a message from Executive Director Sam Wainer, introducing a new film series at the Moab Information Center, providing updates on the temporary closure of Canyonlands National Park's Needles District, highlighting the Dolores River National Conservation Area management plan, and sharing a lineup of upcoming events.

Thanks for being part of the CNHA community. We hope you'll take a few moments to explore this month's stories and stay connected to the public lands we all cherish.

With record-low winter snowpack, we knew this would likely be a difficult fire season. Even so, it is always heartbreaking when a wildfire strikes so close to home.

On June 26, a lightning strike about one mile northeast of Babylon Pasture in Bears Ears National Monument ignited what has become the Babylon Fire. Firefighters faced worst-case conditions from the outset: a Red Flag Warning, critically dry vegetation, sustained winds approaching 30 mph, and no meaningful rainfall since May 18. Smoke was reported shortly after 2:00 p.m., and within little more than an hour, smokejumpers were already on the ground battling an extremely active fire in heavy timber. Despite their rapid response, the fire spread quickly under extreme conditions.

Over the following days, the Babylon Fire expanded at an alarming rate. Growing to approximately 16,000 acres on the second day, 38,000 acres on the third, and more than 70,000 acres by June 30. The fire also destroyed several structures, including the historic Scorup Cabin in the upper reaches of Dark Canyon. As of July 6, the fire has grown to approximately 96,000 acres with no containment and continues to threaten areas near Monticello, Utah. Over 1100 firefighters, supported by engines, hand crews, helicopters, dozers, and water tenders, remain assigned to the incident.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park closed on June 28, and park personnel were evacuated because State Highway 211 provides the only paved access to the district. Although the fire has not entered the park, it continues to burn near the upper reaches of Salt Creek.

I know this part of Bears Ears well. For more than 30 years, I have camped on Elk Ridge, drawn back each summer by the cool mountain air and the towering ponderosa pines. It is a landscape that holds deep meaning for me and for countless others.

Elk Ridge is far more than a beautiful place. It supports local ranching traditions, offers exceptional recreational opportunities, and contains an extraordinary concentration of archaeological and cultural sites that remain deeply significant to the Tribes of the Four Corners region. It is also home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, black bears, mountain lions, Mexican spotted owls, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and numerous bat species. The monument even protects rare endemic plants such as Chatterley's onion, found nowhere else in the world.

My heart goes out to everyone affected by this devastating fire—the firefighters risking their lives, the local communities facing uncertainty, and all who cherish this remarkable landscape. I hope changing weather patterns bring the moisture, humidity, and lighter winds needed to slow the fire's advance. Watching a place that has meant so much to me for so many years burn is a profound loss, one I feel deeply.

In times like these, we are reminded why conserving, understanding, and caring for our public lands matters so deeply. Their recovery will take years, and CNHA remains committed to supporting the science, stewardship, and partnerships that will help these landscapes heal.

Top photo: Sam Wainer
Bottom photo: USFS

Visitors and community members can now explore the landscapes, recreation, science, and natural history of southeastern Utah through a new on-demand film series at the Moab Information Center (MIC).

Made possible through a partnership between Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA), Grand County, and Sand Flats Recreation Area, the program features a collection of educational films produced by Finley Holiday Productions. Visitors may request any of the following films to be shown on the big screen at the MIC:



• Welcome to Moab
• Introduction to Sand Flats Recreation Area
• Old Growth Forests of Moab (New this spring!)
• Ephemeral Pools of Moab
• Moab's Dark Sky Parks
• Moab's Living Soil Crust

The films cover a wide range of topics, from local history and scientific research to desert ecology and critical resource protection.

"Education is at the heart of our mission," said Sam Wainer, Executive Director of CNHA. "We're excited to partner with Grand County and Sand Flats Recreation Area to share these films and help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the landscapes, ecosystems, and public lands that make southeastern Utah so special."

“It has been a thrill to work with Mark Finley of Finley Holiday Productions over the years to help produce these films," added Sand Flats Director Andrea Brand. “Education is key to Sand Flats' mission as well. Along with these captivating science stories, these films enlighten visitors to avoid damaging fragile resources and include simple safety information to help keep them safe.”

The films are available during regular operating hours at the Moab Information Center, located at the corner of Main and Center Streets in downtown Moab.

Note: Select films are also available to view online via the Sand Flats Recreation Area website, YouTube channel, and Channel 6 TV.

Canyonlands National Park will continue the temporary closure of The Needles district until further notice due to the Babylon Fire near Blanding, Utah. 

The Babylon Fire is burning within Bears Ears National Monument and is not currently burning within Canyonlands National Park. Due to the fire’s northward progression toward the park and Utah Highway 211, all park staff and visitors in The Needles district were evacuated on the evening of June 28, 2026.  

The Needles district remains closed to all public use until further notice. All existing day-use backcountry permits, overnight backcountry permits, and campground reservations for The Needles have been canceled through July 31, 2026. Additional cancelations later in the summer are being assessed based on the status of the district closure. 

All other districts of Canyonlands National Park remain open and accessible. Smoke from the Babylon Fire and other regional fires may impact air quality and visibility. Air quality resources are available at AirNow.gov. 

For official updates and incident information, visit the Babylon Fire InciWeb page at Utmlf Babylon Information | InciWeb. 

For more information about fire restrictions, wildfires, fire prevention, and fuels treatment projects, visit utahfireinfo.gov. As a general practice, being fire-wise helps prevent wildfires, keeps families safe, protects communities, and reduces unnecessary risk to firefighters.  

Read the full press release.

Photo: Travis Spake/NPS

The Moab Field Office has released preliminary travel network alternatives for the Dolores River Travel Management Plan in southeastern Utah. When complete, the plan will designate routes as open, limited, or closed for off-highway vehicle use on approximately 127,000 acres in Grand County, covering roughly 321 miles of existing routes. The BLM anticipates releasing a draft environmental assessment for public review and comment in fall or winter 2026. This release does not open a comment period.

More information, planning documents, and static and interactive maps with proposed route designations are available at the BLM National NEPA Register. 

Moab Information Center Lecture Series

The Moab Information Center (MIC) Lecture Series continues in June with free, in-person talks exploring the science, history, and culture of canyon country. Speakers include local experts and partner organizations. Lectures are held Thursdays at 6:00 pm at the Moab Information Center.

• July 9 | Arches and Canyonlands: Tracing the Historical Relations by Blaine Reniger
• July 16 | Geology of the La Sal Mountains by Christopher Benson
• July 23 | Bears Ears Digital Cultural Heritage Initiative by Ben Bellorado and Eric Heller (Discovery Pool recipients!)

View the full lineup here.

2026 Community Artist in the Parks

Chrissy Noel Kinslow is a Moab-based community artist whose work weaves together art, nature connection, and shared experience. Rooted in the landscapes of the Colorado Plateau, her practice centers on listening deeply and creating accessible, heart-led spaces for reflection and creative expression. Through guided art experiences, storytelling, and land-based practices, she invites participants to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world.

See how she turns her inspiration into art, or join her (with your own art supplies) for a side-by-side creative endeavor. Bring water, sun protection, and your imagination.

Canyonlands National Park 
Island in the Sky District

Wednesday, July 8

Aztec Butte

8 am – 2 pm

Wednesday, July 15

Murphy Point Trail

8 am – 2 pm

Wednesday, July 22

Whale Rock Trail

8 am – 2 pm

Can't make it but still want to support? Check out her artwork here!

2027 Canyon Country Calendar

Delicate Arch Bandana

(also available in rust!)

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Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA) is a non-profit organization, which exists solely to assist the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management in their education and visitor efforts. Proceeds from sales support these agencies’ educational, interpretive, and scientific programs on the Colorado Plateau.

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