Evacuation ordered for parts of Oak Springs, Hunters Point as Oak Ridge Fire grows
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
A firefighting air tanker releases a load of retardant over dense forest as smoke from the Oak Ridge Fire looms west of St. Michaels, Ariz., on June 28. Crews are using aerial suppression to protect homes and slow the fire’s advance.
WINDOW ROCK
Parts of Oak Springs and Hunters Point communities are now under mandatory evacuation orders as the Oak Ridge Fire continues to grow unchecked. By Sunday evening, the fire had reached more than 1,800 acres and was 0% contained.
The evacuation order, announced by BIA Incident Commander Robert Bernie, moves residents in affected areas from “SET” to “GO” status, meaning they must leave immediately.
In Oak Springs, the “GO” status applies to residents west of mile marker 12 on Navajo Route 12, which extends north to the El Paso Gas Station. Residents north of the gas station remain in “SET” status and should be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.
“Evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening,” said Lt. Tyler Lynch, the incident commander for the Oak Ridge Fire Incident Command Post.
Kris Beecher, President Buu Nygren’s chief of staff, emphasized the urgency of the situation and the priority of evacuating those closest to the fire line.
“That means that the folks that are most at risk, they’re being recommended to leave now,” Beecher said. “Now is the time to leave, not to wait until the very last minute, so we can ensure that they get out safely.
“And those that are (at) highest risk of being next to the fire are being notified first,” he said. “So we have teams out there to notify those who haven’t already evacuated.”
Beecher also addressed the resources available for evacuees. While many families may choose to shelter with relatives, he stressed that the Window Rock Fighting Scouts Events Center is ready to receive anyone who needs assistance.
“The evacuation site, which is the event center with the Window Rock High School, is there for the people who need it, but many people choose to go to their relatives’ homes or some other place if they have those means,” he said.
The Oak Ridge Fire, which began June 28, continues to burn through dry grass and timber southwest of Window Rock. It is driven by wind and drought-stricken vegetation. Fire crews remain on the ground and in the air, including multiple fixed-wing aircraft dropping fire retardant across the fire zone.
For real-time updates or questions regarding evacuation and emergency response, the public can call 505-422-7382.
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