Evacuations ordered as Oak Ridge Fire grows on Navajo Nation

The Oak Ridge Fire first sparked around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, about 5-8 miles southwest of St. Michaels.

WINDOW ROCK, AZ (AZFamily) — A fast-growing wildfire called the Oak Ridge Fire has burned thousands of acres on the Navajo Nation, and officials are telling hundreds of people to evacuate.

On Monday, around 8:30 p.m., fire officials said people in the Klagetoh Pump Station Area/Transwestern Pipeline Road area have been told to leave their homes. People in the areas of North Klagetoh and Klagetoh have been told to be on standby to evacuate.

Authorities said the Oak Ridge Fire has shifted to the west toward the Transwestern Pipeline Station because of strong winds.

In Oak Springs, the evacuation applies to residents west of mile marker 12 on Navajo Route 12 and north to the El Paso Gas Station. Residents past the El Paso Gas Station are still in “SET” status. A total of about 100 homes have been evacuated, impacting approximately 350 residents.

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The Oak Ridge Fire first sparked around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, about 5 to 8 miles southwest of St. Michaels. Officials say the fire is threatening multiple buildings, ranches and a communication tower.

As of Monday afternoon, the fire burned approximately 6,545 acres. There are currently 350 firefighters battling the blaze, with an additional 10 crews being requested.

Officials say the fire is human-caused. There are two people of interest who have been identified, Alastair Lee Bitsoi, Public Information Officer for the Oak Ridge Fire Incident Command Post, said. Authorities say the individuals were wood haulers cutting fresh oaks.

The Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance will serve as the official evacuation shelter for families, and officials say donations can also be dropped off there.

The Ganado FieldHouse is the shelter for impacted residents evacuating from Klagetoh, officials said. The Ganado Fieldhouse is on the compounds of the Ganado Unified School District.

The McKinley Humane Society in Gallup is also providing food for dogs and cats.

President Buu Nygren says the road to Oak Ridge is closed, and if traveling on Highway 264, motorists are encouraged to drive past the fire quickly and carefully, avoiding the shoulders. The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that smoke is visible from the highway and advises residents to take alternate routes.

The Window Rock High School Gym will remain open for first responders.

Anyone in the evacuation zone can bring livestock to Dean Jackson Arena at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds. Contact information to arrange drop-offs can be found here. The Department of Agriculture and Department of Real Estate are evacuating livestock and water/feed. Currently, livestock is being moved to the Window Rock Fairgrounds. For more information on livestock evacuations, call 928-270-8062.

Authorities say three loads of fire retardant have already been dropped in the area and that additional aircraft are on the way. There are also hotshot crews working to contain the blaze.

“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.”

An official call center number has been established to take questions from the public at 505-422-7382.

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