A wildfire burning eight miles from the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock had grown to nearly 6,300 acres as of Monday morning.
The Oak Ridge Fire was first reported Saturday near the St. Michaels community and is 0% contained.
Authorities have issued “Go” evacuation orders for residents in Hunter’s Point and Oak Springs west of mile maker 12 on Navajo Route 12 north of the El Paso Gas Transfer Station along with roads 603, 604 and 605 and the Navajo Telecommunications Road.
Oak Springs residents north of the El Paso Station are under a “Set” pre-evacuation order.
See an evacuation status map here.
Officials will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Fighting Scouts Field House in Window Rock and it will be streamed on the BIA Wildland Fire Management Facebook page.
The Southwest Area Complex Incident Management has taken over response to the Oak Ridge Fire and 420 personnel were working to contain the blaze as of Monday.
Officials say the blaze threatens St. Michaels and the Route 12 corridor along with pipeline infrastructure. They also say shifting winds pose a danger to firefighters as they work to hold containment lines on the north and east side.
An evacuation shelter has been set up at the Window Rock Fighting Scouts Event Center on Route 12 in Window Rock where donations are being accepted. A large animal shelter is at the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena in St. Michaels.
Meanwhile, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has approved a state of emergency because of the wildfire. The Navajo Commission on Emergency Management unanimously passed the resolution Sunday. It allows officials to access additional funding for personnel and equipment to fight the fire.
In addition, Nygren has implemented heighted stage 2 fire restrictions throughout the Navajo Nation. It bans all open flames including campfires and charcoal and limits the use of firearms and internal combustion tools.