Navajo Times
Saturday, July 26, 2025

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Brush fire near Highway 264 contained as fire crews monitor hot spots

WINDOW ROCK

A brush fire ignited Thursday afternoon along Highway 264 near mile marker 464. The fire burned approximately two to three acres before fire crews contained the flames.

The fire was reported to Window Rock Police Dispatch around 2:50 p.m. on the south side of the highway. Responding units from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue arrived shortly after the initial call.

“There’s still some smoke, but the fire is mostly out right now,” said a fire official monitoring the scene. “Crews are performing mop-up operations to make sure everything is extinguished. No structures were threatened, and there were no injuries reported.”

Although the source of the fire remains unknown, responders said the blaze had not developed into a forest fire. Navajo police assisted with traffic and coordination, while Fire and Rescue units remained on standby as a precaution.

The incident comes as tribal and federal officials continue to respond to a separate wildfire near Navajo Mountain. The Bridge Creek Fire, located on the north side of the mountain mid-slope, had expanded to roughly 840 acres as of June 17, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Region Fire Management.

Because of increasing fire intensity, dry fuels, and persistent drought conditions, the BIA transitioned the fire response from a Type 4 to a Type 3 Incident Management Team. The agency reported that aerial resources were being used to apply retardant and water in steep and hazardous terrain to prevent the fire from reaching infrastructure atop the mountain.

Smoke from the wildfire is expected to remain visible in the region, particularly at night and early morning, when smoke inversion is more likely. Fire officials have urged the public to avoid the wildfire area and the surrounding access roads.

“Residents are encouraged to avoid the wildfire area and access roads to the fire,” stated the BIA in its public service announcement. Any updates on the fire’s progression can be obtained by contacting the Navajo Regional Fire Dispatch at (928) 729-2307.

In light of the increased wildfire risk across the region, an executive order was issued on June 11, instituting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions across the Navajo Nation. The order cited high temperatures, low humidity, and dry vegetation as key contributors to elevated fire danger.

The executive order prohibits the use of fireworks, open fires – including charcoal and coal fire pits – and firearms with incendiary devices unless properly permitted. Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or areas cleared of flammable materials.

Officials from the Ganado Fire Department swept around Ganado Lake late Wednesday night to look for illegal campfires. It is not known if they informed anyone at the lake that a fire restriction was in effect across the Navajo Nation.

Permitted activities include using propane or petroleum-fueled stoves for livestock branding and recreational use, and properly registered ceremonial fires approved through the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency at least five days in advance.

Violations of the fire order may result in fines of up to $5,000 or restitution, as outlined under Navajo Nation Code Section 523. The order directs the Division of Public Safety, Natural Resources, Community Development, and the BIA Fire Management Branch to enforce the restrictions.

The order remains in effect until amended or rescinded, and all residents and visitors to the Navajo Nation are urged to exercise extreme caution to prevent new fire starts. Questions about fire restrictions should be directed to the Navajo Forestry Department at (928) 729-4007.


About The Author

Donovan Quintero

"Dii, Diné bi Naaltsoos wolyéhíígíí, ninaaltsoos át'é. Nihi cheii dóó nihi másání ádaaní: Nihi Diné Bizaad bił ninhi't'eelyá áádóó t'áá háadida nihizaad nihił ch'aawóle'lágo. Nihi bee haz'áanii at'é, nihisin at'é, nihi hózhǫ́ǫ́jí at'é, nihi 'ach'ą́ą́h naagééh at'é. Dilkǫǫho saad bee yájíłti', k'ídahoneezláo saad bee yájíłti', ą́ą́ chánahgo saad bee yájíłti', diits'a'go saad bee yájíłti', nabik'íyájíłti' baa yájíłti', bich'į' yájíłti', hach'į' yándaałti', diné k'ehgo bik'izhdiitįįh. This is the belief I do my best to follow when I am writing Diné-related stories and photographing our events, games and news. Ahxéhee', shik'éí dóó shidine'é." - Donovan Quintero, an award-winning Diné journalist, served as a photographer, reporter and as assistant editor of the Navajo Times until March 17, 2023.

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Window Rock Weather

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Dewpoint: 19.0 F (-7.2 C)
Humidity: 32%
Wind: calm
Pressure: 30.25

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