The Oak Ridge Fire, 8 miles southwest of Window Rock, has spread to more than 10,712 acres, with 13% containment, according to Navajo Department of Emergency Management.
The fire was reported June 28 at 200 acres and grew to 10,712 acres by July 3.
High winds June 30 night pushed the Oak Ridge Fire toward the Klagetoh substation on Transwestern Pipeline Road in Klagetoh and Wide Ruins, Arizona.
The Navajo Nation continues to use the ‘Ready, Set, Go’ system to inform residents of evacuations.
“Ready” status means residents should prepare to evacuate, and “set” advises residents to prepare to leave as soon as notified. “Go” means evacuate immediately.
As of Friday, July 4, The Navajo Nation, in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Region and Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2, has restructured evacuation on Zone 1 and Zone 2 to facilitate a return to residences.
The Complex Incident Management Team, made up of federal and state wildfire agencies including BIA, state of Arizona and state of New Mexico, took over Oak Ridge Fire, took over management of the fire on Monday.
About 609 firefighters were on the scene July 3, according to a Navajo Nation news release.
The fire was initially reported by a Navajo Nation Police officer, who advised that two individuals of interest had been identified, according to the news release.
“They were wood haulers cutting fresh oak,” the news release said. “The fire started small but quickly spread due to the wind.”
While a massive evacuation order has not been issued, 15 families living in the fire’s path have evacuated themselves on June 29, according to the Office of the President.
“The Oak Ridge Fire is an emergency that is threatening our rangelands, public and residential structures, and livestock. We’re receiving reports of residents choosing to stay in their homes even as evacuation alerts intensify. We ask all community members to not act in haste and to prioritize their safety given the growing fire,” said Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley.
The Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance is considered the official evacuation shelter for families where donations can be dropped off.
As for donations to the event center and Ganado Field House Evacuation Shelter location, the Office of the President has reported a changed to a “HARD STOP” for donations except for hay and pet food for livestock and pets.
On Wednesday, July 2, the Office of the President gave warning to fraudulent pages requesting for monetary donations.
“With the ongoing efforts of the Oak Ridge Fire, there have been a number of GoFundMe pages purporting to collect funds to help with fire efforts,” said a release from the Office of the President.
The Navajo Nation or the Incident Command Center has not asked for any monetary funds and the government will not ask for funds, the office said.
The Navajo Department of Emergency Management is moving to recovery status as there is more control on the fire which means they do not need immediate donations, according to the Office of the President.
On June 30, 23 individuals found refuge at the events center and volunteers are needed to monitor overnight stays for the evacuees.
Families and the public are being asked not to self-deploy and urged not go near the fire zones by the Office of the President.
“Our top priority is the safety of our people,” Navajo Nation President, Buu Nygren, said. “We are coordinating with all available resources, including the Department of Emergency Management, Navajo Nation Fire, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to contain this fire and protect lives and property. Please keep our people, our responders and our homeland in your prayers.”
The Oak Ridge Fire ICP will hold a public meeting at Window Rock High School on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. to review evacuation plans and safety alerts.
The Oak Ridge Fire Incident Command Post has also established a public call center for updates and inquiries. For more information, please contact the ICP at (505) 422-7382.
The volunteer help line is (505) 422-7381.
