Hundreds evacuated as wildfire near Navajo Nation capital grows to nearly 10,000 acres
by Shondiin Silversmith, Utah News Dispatch
July 1, 2025
Hundreds of residents in several communities on the Navajo Nation are under evacuation orders as the Oak Ridge Fire, which has zero containment near Window Rock, continues to spread.
As of Tuesday, just three days after the fire began, more than 350 people had been evacuated.
The fire, eight miles southwest of Window Rock, had burned 9,847 acres, according to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2, a national emergency management organization.
The incident team reported on Tuesday morning that the fire was pushed six miles to the west in just a few hours on Monday night, and “200-foot flames were reported as the fire covered the length of two football fields in a matter of minutes.”
Due to the intense shift in the fire on Monday night, firefighters were pulled back and did not reengage the fire until conditions improved, according to the incident team’s update on Tuesday morning.
Fire crews on the northeast section of the fire are monitoring the firelines that have been established over the last few days to ensure they will continue to hold.
The east section of the blaze is being monitored by structure protection groups, who are continuing their work to secure structures with the intention of allowing people to return to their homes.
At the south end of the fire, the incident team reported that it is not expected to spread, but it will continue to burn any available fuel within the area.
For the west portion of the fire, “crews are utilizing and strengthening roads and natural fire breaks to contain potential fire spread.”
Airtankers will continue to be used to support the ground operations, according to the incident team.
Monday night town hall
The Oak Ridge Fire was initially reported on June 28 by a Navajo Nation police officer, according to the Office of the Navajo Nation President.
Two wood haulers were cutting fresh oak in the area when a small fire started, according to officials. The fire quickly spread due to the wind.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the BIA; but it is driven by wind and fueled by grass, undergrowth and timber.
Because of the severity of the fire, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Complex Incident Management Team and Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 have assumed operational control from the Navajo Nation’s initial incident command team, and they are now managing the response efforts for the fire.
“Your folks did a great job with the initial attack when it started,” said Rocky Gilbert, a chief for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
“We’ve been using airtankers all day,” he said, adding that they have been battling the wind.
Most of the fire containment efforts are focused on the western section of the fire, near the Transwestern Pipeline, County Road and Indian Route 201.
Gilbert said crews were set up behind the El Paso Gas Substation, Hunters Point, and the Saint Michaels area surrounding Indian Route 201, with dedicated crews in the area to protect structures.
“There are 350 firefighters out on the fire line fighting the fire,” Morse said, and officials have asked for 10 more crews and engines.
John Truett, incident commander for the incident management team, said that they have only been in the area for a day, but they feel welcomed by the community.
He added that officials are working on a plan to address the fire that will work for everyone.
“We know that this is very sacred ground, so we don’t want to go out and destroy anything,” Truett said.
“Our fire line is not going to affect any of the sensitive areas out there,” he added.
Navajo Nation Police Lt. Tyler Lynch, serving as the incident commander for the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management, provided an update to the community during the town hall meeting Monday night.
Lynch wanted to remind the community that they are operating under the “Ready, Set, Go!” system, a nationwide preparation program.
“Ready” means being prepared and aware of the hazards threatening the area. “Set” means to remain alert and recognize that there is significant danger nearby. “Go” means it is time to evacuate, and the danger in the area is imminent and life-threatening.
“Having a plan is important,” Lynch said, and he shared an updated map with the community that showed which areas surrounding the Oak Ridge Fire were in “Ready, Set, Go!” stages.
As of Monday night, two areas were under “Go” evacuation orders, four areas were under “Set,” and one was under “Ready.” Several communities lie within the boundaries of these evacuation zones, including Hunters Point, Saint Michael’s, Oak Springs, Pine Spring, Klagatoh and Cross Canyon.
“We have evacuated 100 families,” Lynch said. There are community health representatives and police officers actively checking on families in the area.
Resources available for those impacted
The Navajo Nation Council is urging residents to be vigilant and follow all emergency protocols and evacuation alerts as emergency personnel continue to fight the Oak Ridge Fire.
“The Oak Ridge Fire is an emergency that is threatening our rangelands, public and residential structures, and livestock,” Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said in a press release.
Curley said the Navajo Nation Council is receiving reports that residents in the affected areas are choosing to stay in their homes, despite evacuation alerts intensifying.
“We ask all community members to not act in haste and to prioritize their safety given the growing fire,” she said.
An evacuation shelter has been established at the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance and donations of things like new towels and bedding, shade structure, nonperishable food and baby supplies are being accepted there.
Monday night, the Navajo Nation Department announced that the Ganado Fieldhouse will be open as shelter for residents in and around the Klagetoh pump station area. The area is under “Go” evacuation status after the fire shifted due to strong winds.
“It’s a shock for many of our people being asked to evacuate,” Curley said. “They’re in shock, but we have to do what we can to provide these resources.”
During the town hall meeting, Curley said multiple resources are available at the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center, including shelter, food, water, and counseling or mental health services.
Families who have animals are being directed to the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture for livestock evacuation assistance. For smaller animals, they are directed to the Navajo Nation Department of Education.
Navajo Nation officials are urging the public not to park or travel near the fire, as they continue to encounter people trying to take pictures and videos of the fire.
“You can get in the way of our fire team,” BIA Navajo Regional Director Deborah Shirley said during the town hall meeting.
She said that they will have a team in the area to ensure no one interferes with firefighting efforts.
People coming into the area to shoot video and photos are creating unnecessary traffic, Curley said.
“Safety is number one,” she said, adding that people need to stay clear of the area around the fire. “Only our first responders and direct family members should be in that area.”
Curley also advised Navajo people to depend on official sources for information about the wildfire.
She said that those looking for updates should get them from the official social media pages of the Navajo departments in charge, because misinformation is being spread on social media.
“We need to stay calm and alert,” she said.
The Navajo Nation does not have an official GoFundMe page set up and is not accepting monetary donations, Curley said.
“Be aware of scams,” she added.
Navajo Nation declares state of emergency
Due to the severity of the Oak Ridge Fire, the Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management declared a state of emergency on June 28, requesting additional resources to address the wildfire impacts.
The declaration enables the immediate allocation of critical resources and operational support, CEM Chair Marcarlo Roanhorse said in a press release.
“We express deep appreciation to the firefighters, law enforcement, emergency personnel, and volunteers working on the front lines,” Roanhorse said. “As a Commission, we stand ready to support our Nation through this challenging time with diligence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.”
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed an executive order enacting more robust Stage 2 fire restrictions due to the heightened wildfire risk.
Some of those restrictions are a prohibition on all open flames, including campfires and charcoal use, even in designated recreation areas, as well as operating chainsaws or other internal combustion engines.
As part of the emergency declaration, the Navajo Nation will activate available resources, including funding for personnel, equipment, and other support, to restore and maintain critical community infrastructure.
The declaration states that all Navajo Nation divisions, departments, programs, and chapters must coordinate emergency responses, allocate resources, and carry out response actions in partnership with federal, state, and tribal entities to address the needs of affected communities.
Donation drives for families impacted
Navajo woman Janell Brown and her daughter, Rayleigh Billy, saw the massive amount of smoke in the area while driving through Window Rock on June 28.
Brown, 32, said that her daughter pointed out the smoke in the distance. They were concerned about it, later learning that it was the Oak Ridge Fire.
“It’s so close to home,” Brown said. Her family lives in Navajo, New Mexico, which is about 25 minutes north of Window Rock. “It makes us sad with how many people had to up and leave and they couldn’t take anything.”
With the fire being so close, Brown said her daughter wanted to do something for the community.
“It’s really sad to me that they have to leave everything,” Billy said, adding that the experience of leaving their home will affect them.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ll keep praying for them to get home.”
Billy, 11, is the 2024-2025 Miss Navajo Elementary. As a way to help the community, Billy and her mother hosted a donation drive at the Navajo Pine Market in Navajo on Monday.
“She’s representing her community,” Brown said. “We’re just trying to make a little impact and I know it will make a big difference for them.”
Brown and Billy collected monetary donations, cases of water, baby wipes, tissue, toothpaste and toothbrushes during their donation drive. They plan on hosting another one July 2.
Brown said that they plan to use the monetary donations to purchase necessities that have been requested for donation.
The mother-daughter team will be taking the donations to the Navajo Nation’s designated donation spot at the Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center, where they have been volunteering.
Multiple efforts are underway to collect donations for the families affected by the Oak Ridge Fire, including several in the Valley.
The Phoenix Indian Center is accepting donations through July 3 and plans to make its first delivery on July 2. Donations can be dropped off at 4041 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix.
Native Health Phoenix locations are accepting donations at three sites. There are two Phoenix locations: 4041 N Central Ave. and 8800 N. 22nd Ave., and one Mesa location: 777 W. Southern Ave.
The donated items will be delivered to the St. Michaels Chapter starting July 2, according to Native Health’s Facebook page, with additional deliveries on July 3 and July 4.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Oak Ridge Fire,” they stated in their post. “We send our gratitude to those that are fighting the fire and those working behind the scenes to assist the community.”
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As of July 1, there is no containment, and the flames have advanced westward due to strong winds, which has led emergency crews to bolster firelines and safeguard essential infrastructure. The fire, which ignited on June 28, is currently under investigation and is being exacerbated by dry vegetation. A state of emergency has been declared, and shelters have been established in Fort Defiance and Ganado. Community members and organizations are organizing donation drives, while officials are urging residents to follow evacuation orders and stay away from the area.
