Emergency Preparedness

Where Grand County’s expanded health care tax goes

Revenue from the first three months of Grand County’s expanded rural health care sales tax has helped EMS staff a third ambulance more consistently and Moab Valley Fire advances plans to replace its only ladder truck. Those are among the first concre...

Search and Rescue comes for everyone. OHV riders help pay for it.

Grand County Search and Rescue's two new side-by-sides were bought largely with off-highway vehicle registration fees, and they carry out hikers, bikers and riders alike. Whatever hat the person is wearing, vice commander Scott Solle said: "We're goi...

Areas burned in Babylon Fire at risk for flash floods and debris flows

In the Abajo Mountains southwest of Monticello, five drainages below the Babylon burn scar could send debris flows downhill in even light rain — a risk lasting five to ten years.

Cross Creeks flood mitigation gets closer to reality

The city recommended the third option, which focuses on creating a significantly wider and deeper creek channel capable of carrying floodwater through the corridor.

Grand County EMS administers first field blood transfusion

Grand County EMS paramedics gave a crash victim blood in the back of an ambulance on July 19 — the first field transfusion since the program launched July 1. In a county where the nearest higher-level trauma center is two hours away, every minute cou...

Park explains what the flash flood warnings hitting visitor phones actually mean

Castle Valley, Moab under flash flood warning until 8:45 p.m.

NWS Flash Flood Warning for Moab and Castle Valley until 8:45 p.m. Thursday — avoid flooded roads, canyon areas at risk.

OHV panel supports Grand County SAR

Scott

Babylon Fire evacuation warnings eased as containment reaches 57%

Evacuation status has eased for areas affected by the Babylon Fire as firefighters continue making progress on the 107,104-acre wildfire in southeastern Utah. All areas previously under SET status returned to Ready status Wednesday, meaning residents...

With Babylon winding down, air quality remains a concern

"It [wildfire smoke] contains tiny particles of toxic chemicals and metals that are much smaller than dust, allowing them to travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream."

Wildfire crews box in Babylon Fire in 104-degree heat

Firefighters have begun to box in the Babylon Fire near Monticello, holding 11% of the 101,073-acre blaze — the largest active wildfire in the U.S. — though a Red Flag Warning brought dangerous fire weather to the Moab area Wednesday.

As Utah fires worsen, U.S. Forest Service chief calls for more active forest management

Schultz said the forest service remains dedicated to preserving access and abiding by congressional directives. He also prioritizes improving forest health.

The nation’s largest wildfire is burning toward Monticello with no containment

The Babylon Fire near Monticello has surpassed the Cottonwood Fire to become the largest active wildfire in the U.S., reaching 96,594 acres with zero containment. Six zones northwest of Monticello are on Set status.

Family impacted by flooding files lawsuit against City of Moab

The two households seek more than $1.3 million in damages, combined.

Moab signs ‘insurance policy’ with Fire Protection District

“Basically, for the city it’s an insurance policy for large fires; the cost can get really high really fast."

Moab crews battle three wildfires at once as fire season grips the region

The Moab Valley Fire Department has crews on three wildfires at once — including the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver, the largest blaze burning in the country — as one of the most dangerous fire seasons in years grips the region.

Babylon Fire grows north, closes part of Canyonlands National Park

The Babylon Fire has grown past 70,000 acres and is pushing north toward Canyonlands National Park, which has closed and evacuated its Needles District and canceled all permits and campground reservations there through July 31.

Moab-region wildfire tracker: Snyder and Babylon fires, restrictions and closures

Updated June 30, 5:46 p.m. — A live tracker of the Snyder and Babylon wildfires near Moab: latest acreage, fire restrictions, park and forest closures, and how to stay informed. The Babylon Fire has grown to more than 48,000 acres near Blanding, with...

Rapidly growing Babylon Fire closes Canyonlands’ Needles District

The National Park Service closed the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and ordered all visitors to evacuate Sunday as the Babylon Fire continued to expand. The fire, which started Saturday, is burning in Bears Ears National Monument near ...

Three Forest Service firefighters killed on Snyder Fire at Grand County's eastern edge

Three U.S. Forest Service firefighters were killed and two injured battling the Snyder Fire, which ignited on the eastern edge of Grand County before racing across the Utah-Colorado line. Grand County has lowered its courthouse flags to half-staff.