Oak Ridge Fire

As the Oak Ridge Fire scorched over 11,000 acres of grazing land southwest of St. Michaels, families rushed to evacuate their animals – livestock that carry deep personal, cultural, and economic meaning.

As the Oak Ridge Fire nears full containment, a Navajo-led nonprofit is shifting its efforts from emergency response to recovery, helping fill aid gaps and support displaced families.

The Oak Ridge Fire has burned 10,814 acres southwest of Window Rock and remains 42% contained as of Sunday. Crews are bracing for extreme temperatures and critically dry fuels that threaten to spark new fires across the region.

Darlene, who only wanted to share her first name, evacuated with her grandchildren, two of whom have asthma, and several small pets, including rabbits and chihuahuas. After three nights at the Ganado Field House shelter, she said they were told to leave.

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