Ad
Featured
Over 1,800 acres burn in Navajo Nation; 'two individuals of interest' have been identified
Published
Modified
A fire on the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona has burned at least 1,800 acres, causing the Nation to declare a state of emergency.
The Oak Ridge Fire was first reported around 1:45 p.m. Saturday — about 8 miles southwest of Window Rock — and it is 0% contained, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a social media post. No injuries were reported.
The fire started small but quickly spread due to the wind, the post states.
A Navajo Nation police officer said “two individuals of interest” — wood haulers cutting fresh oaks — were identified, according to a Navajo Nation blog post. The cause remains under investigation.
There were 55 firefighters on scene as of 9:30 a.m. Sunday. A regional critical incident management team was expected to take over command by Sunday evening, Nygren said. Evacuations were ordered for parts of St. Michaels, Arizona, and Navajo Telecommunications Road.
As of noon on Sunday, 15 people evacuated and were staying at the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona, where donations are being accepted.
“We are not at a mass evacuation point yet,” said Sharen Sandoval, director for the Navajo Department of Emergency Management, in a social media post.
Nygren signed an executive order on Sunday enacting Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibit all open flames, including campfires and charcoal use, even in designated recreation areas. Smoking is only allowed inside enclosed vehicles or buildings. The use of firearms and exploding targets are banned except for lawful hunting.
“I encourage all our Navajo people to respect and honor our fire restrictions,” Nygren said. “I also encourage you all not to haul firewood, drag chains, or even light fireworks during this ongoing drought, which creates the perfect scenario for preventable fires.”
