Spider Fire near Whitecone forces some evacuations
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
The Navajo Hotshots prepare to contain the Spider Fire on Thursday evening north of Whitecone, Ariz.
WHITECONE, Ariz.
A fast-moving wildfire broke out Thursday afternoon north of here, forcing the evacuation of several families and prompting a full emergency response.
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
The Navajo Hot Shots hike through an area north of Whitecone, Ariz., on Thursday evening.
According to Oriel Tootsie, a volunteer at the Yuwehloo Pahki Community Center, the fire was first reported around 3 p.m.
“I was doing the wood hauling, giving our community wood. Then I saw smoke. It wasn’t very big, it was just small,” said Tootsie. “So I ran in there and told the office. They came out, and by then, it was already running.”
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
A command vehicle approaches the Spider Fire near a homestead north of Whitecone, Ariz., on Thursday evening.
Fueled by 15-20 mph wind gusts, the fire has already scorched an estimated six to seven miles of land along State Highway 77 and is moving toward the surrounding areas.
Approximately seven families have been evacuated as a precaution. Fire resources from the Hopi Tribe initially responded and requested for additional resources.
Wildland land firefighters with the Navajo Nation, the Hopi, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are on the scene, actively working to protect homes north of the fire’s path. The fire is over 100 acres in size and the containment level remains unknown.
Tootsie said this marks the third fire in the area within the past two years. No injuries have been reported.
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
The Spider Fire burns as fire command trucks and wildland firefighters approach the area north of Whitecone, Ariz., on Thursday evening.
Council Delegate Vince James, who represents Jeddito, Cornfields, Ganado, Kinlichee, and Steamboat, said he suspects more acres have burned since the afternoon. He wasn’t informed of how much is contained.
The Jeddito Chapter will serve as a command post, according to James.
“Just be respectful if officials come to your home informing you to evacuate,” James said on Thursday evening.
As of 6:30 p.m., the fire was moving toward the Toyei and surrounding areas.
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
The Spider Fire burns north of Whitecone, Ariz., on Thursday evening.
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
A fire burns as a Navajo Nation Fire engine approaches the area north of Whitecone, Ariz., on Thursday evening.
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