Evacuation orders remain in effect as Arizona’s Oak Ridge Fire nearly at 50% containment
Jul 6, 2025, 9:46 AM | Updated: 9:57 am
PHOENIX – Residents near a wildfire on tribal land in eastern Arizona remained under evacuation orders Saturday evening as the blaze is slowing, authorities said.
The Oak Ridge Fire covered 10,814 acres with 42% containment as of 8:30 p.m., according to the Navajo Department of Emergency Management. The reported size as of Fourth of July morning had been 10,787 acres, a response crew of 599 seeing little growth.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said Saturday on Facebook that “no further growth is expected” but community members should expect “a noticeable increase in smoke” due to the ongoing response crew efforts.
Gov. Katie Hobbs paid a visit to the Oak Ridge Fire Incident Command post on Saturday as well to discuss the coming recovery phase.
The Southwest Area Incident Management Team, a Complex Incident Management Team of federal and state wildfire agencies, took over command of the Oak Ridge Fire on Monday morning.
Oak Ridge Fire evacuation details
On Saturday, Navajo Nation maintained Stage 2 fire restrictions in the area.
Community members in the immediate area are still under “GO” evacuation orders, which means they need to find shelter and avoid area closures.
Hunters Point and Oak Springs west of mile marker 12 on Navajo Route 12 north to the El Paso Gas Station are under a “SET” evacuation order under the state’s emergency alert system.
St. Michael’s residents around Roads 603, 604, and 605 and Navajo Telecommunications Road also have been told to evacuate due to the Oak Ridge Fire.
Furthermore, the area near the Klagetoh substation on Transwestern Pipeline Road was downgraded to the “READY” list Saturday night after winds continued pushing the flames west.
Other communities potentially at risk are in “READY” status, meaning people there should prepare to evacuate and heed public notices about air conditions.
The Bee Hółdzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance, which was used as a shelter, was closed on Friday at 5 p.m. with evacuees either “returning home or no longer needing shelter,” authorities said. In addition, evacuees from the Klagetoh who were staying at the Ganado Fieldhouse on the campus of Ganado Unified School District no longer needed shelter and could return home on Friday at noon.
The Oak Ridge Fire started June 28 southwest of Window Rock. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren reported that two wood haulers are suspected of starting the blaze while they were cutting fresh oak.