Navajo Times
Monday, July 14, 2025

Select Page

Oak Ridge Fire grows, prompts voluntary evacuations near St. Michaels

Oak Ridge Fire grows, prompts voluntary evacuations near St. Michaels

ST. MICHAELS

A wildfire burning west of St. Michaels had consumed more than 200 acres on Saturday evening, forcing voluntary evacuations and drawing an aerial firefighting response as crews worked to contain the unrelenting Oak Ridge Fire.

The blaze started around 1:45 p.m. near Pine Springs Road, approximately 4 miles south of State Highway 264, and is believed to have been caused by wood haulers, according to early reports from fire officials.

Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Flames push through dense pine forest as thick smoke rises from the Oak Ridge Fire west of St. Michaels, Ariz., on June 28. Firefighters continue aggressive ground and air attacks to slow the wildfire’s spread.

Flames burning through dense forest triggered the return of the Navajo Scouts from recent firefighting assignments in Reserve, New Mexico. The Navajo Scouts joined fire personnel on the ground, while four aircraft crisscrossed the sky above the community, dropping thick lines of red fire retardant to slow the fire’s advance.

St. Michaels Chapter Vice President Craig Tsosie confirmed that voluntary evacuations were underway for residents living on the east side of the fire, west of Route 12.

“It’s not a mandatory evacuation, but they were informed that it would be best for them to move out on the east side of the fire on the west side of Route 12,” Tsosie said. “Some of the families have left, and also they’re setting up places at the fairgrounds to take their livestock too.”

While the fire remains uncontained, no homes have been reported damaged, and no injuries have been confirmed. As smoke poured into the sky and the smell of burning timber settled over the area, community officials activated evacuation support sites to assist those choosing to relocate.

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.

Initially, the senior center in St. Michaels had been identified as a temporary shelter, but that plan changed as the situation evolved.

“Yes,” Tsosie said, confirming that the new evacuation site had moved to the Fighting Scouts Bee Hółdzil Events Center at Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance.

“Yes,” he added, confirming that the doors were open and ready to receive evacuees from the Oak Ridge Fire.

Tsosie said the Navajo Department of Emergency Management and local law enforcement led emergency coordination. “I don’t have an exact number right now,” he said. “Emergency management and the (Apache County) sheriff’s department are taking care of it, along with Navajo Police.”

Elsewhere in the Navajo Nation, in Navajo Mountain, Utah, the Bureau of Indian Affairs reported that the Bridge Creek Fire has burned 2,278 acres since it was sparked by lightning on June 13. Although it remains 0 percent contained, fire managers noted no new growth or significant behavior. As a result, June 27 marked the final daily update for the Bridge Creek Fire unless conditions change. An infrared flight was planned to detect lingering heat inside the perimeter, and no measurable rainfall was expected until the following week.

The Temporary Flight Restriction over the Bridge Creek Fire was lifted June 27. While no evacuation orders were issued for that fire, officials cautioned that smoky skies could persist due to regional wildfires.


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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Weather & Road Conditions

Window Rock Weather

Fair

72.0 F (22.2 C)
Dewpoint: 39.9 F (4.4 C)
Humidity: 31%
Wind: Southeast at 3.5 MPH (3 KT)
Pressure: 30.32

More weather »

ADVERTISEMENT