Spider Fire near Beshbetoh grows, residents urged to stay alert

By Donovan Quintero | Mar 28, 2025 | News |

WINDOW ROCK

A wildfire burning near Beshbetoh has grown to over 650 acres and remains just 20% contained as of Friday morning.

Officials say the Spider Fire, which started Thursday afternoon west of State Highway 77 near Whitecone, Arizona, is advancing northeast and only four miles from the community.

High winds continue to challenge firefighting efforts. Wind speeds are currently between 15 and 20 miles per hour. These conditions could shift the fire’s direction and speed, increasing the risk to nearby homes and residents.

Eight families have been evacuated from the path of the fire so far. The Jeddito Chapter House has been requested to remain open as a shelter. It may house up to four evacuated families, pending confirmation during a scheduled debriefing this evening. Community members are encouraged to stay alert and prepare to evacuate if conditions worsen.

Navajo Nation Fire crews, along with the Navajo Hotshots and Hopi Fire crews, have been actively battling the flames since Thursday. Firefighters have been seen heading toward the front while others monitor homes to the north of the fire for potential threats. The response is a coordinated effort between the Hopi and Navajo regions, with Hopi officials overseeing strategy and Navajo crews managing ground operations.

Fire officials say they aim to make significant progress toward containment by 5 p.m. today.

Oriel Tootsie, a Yuwehloo Pahki Community Center volunteer, said this is the third fire to impact the area in the past two years.