A 1,800-acre wildfire in Apache County has triggered numerous evacuations on the Navajo Nation.
The Oak Ridge Fire is burning in timber and grass about eight miles southwest of the tribal capital of Window Rock near the St. Michaels community. It was first reported Saturday and is 0% contained.
Officials with Apache County Emergency Management and Preparedness have instructed residents along roads 603, 604, and 605, as well as Navajo Telecommunications Road in St. Michaels, to evacuate. Pine Springs Road off Highway 264 is closed.
Residents in Hunters Point have been placed in “ready-state” evacuation status.
According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Wildland Fire and Aviation Management, air resources are assisting firefighters on the ground in suppressing the blaze.
Additional crews are on order to help with containment efforts and officials have requested a Complex Incident Management Team and plan to transition management of the fire. As of Sunday afternoon, 55 firefighters were on scene and the cause is under investigation.
“Fire is not only a destructive force — it is also an essential part of our ecosystem,” said Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley. “We must engage with fire respectfully to support the efforts of our first responders, who are putting their lives on the line to protect us. We ask residents to work with local public safety agencies, be prepared to evacuate if needed, and take all necessary precautions. The safety and well-being of our people must remain our top priority.”
Navajo Council officials say Summit Road 9000 is closed, along with the access road to the El Paso Natural Gas Company. The Navajo Nation Police Department is monitoring Navajo Route 12 in St. Michaels to manage traffic near emergency operations.
In addition, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority says electrical lines have been rerouted in response to the fire and officials are monitoring the fire’s proximity to the infrastructure, like the El Paso substation and pipeline. They are encouraging local residents to conserve energy.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren declared a state of emergency on Sunday due to the fire. This will allow officials to activate emergency resources, including funding for personnel and equipment.