PHOTOS: What is now called the Oak Ridge Fire, currently at 0% containment, has burned over 10,624 acres as of July 2nd. Located just a few miles from the heart of the Navajo Nationโs capital, the fire has burned over the last four days since the onset of the fire on June 28. Roughly 55 firefighters were the initial team to respond. Navajo Nation Fire Rescue were first to arrive, with BIA Wildland Fire Navajo Region arriving roughly 15 minutes after. Navajo Pine Volunteer Fire Department arrived 2-3 hours after, and Ganado Fire Department arrived later that evening from the onset of the fire.
The 55 held the line battling the flames for a continuous 48 hours until other resources from surrounding areas, states and agencies could provide relief and demobilize the initial team to allow for rest and recovery for the 55. BIA Wildland Fire Management held a town hall on Monday evening for the Navajo Nation communities at the Window Rock Veterans’ Memorial Field House to provide details on the fire, resources available, and instructions on the Ready, Set, Go evacuation concept in preparation to possibly evacuate, and expectations of fire behavior that continues to impact and displace residents and livestock in St. Michaels, Hunters Point, and Oak Springs.
During Mondayโs town hall officials reported that 6,546 acres had burned from the start of the fire, however at the time of the report, they faced a looming threat of the onset of high winds in the late afternoon and throughout the evening increasing the difficulty in suppressing the blaze resulting in an additional 3000 additional acres Monday night. BIA reported this morning a total of 508 Firefighters from various tribes, states, and federal resources are active on site including Navajo Hot Shots and the Geronimo Hotshots representing the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Additional resources from various entities are expected to arrive daily.
