Navajo Territory seeks spiritual support amidst Oak Ridge Fire's progression, consuming Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona.
The Oak Ridge Fire, a human-caused wildfire that ignited on June 28, 2025, has been causing havoc in the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona. The blaze, currently 6% contained, has burned over 10,623 acres as of July 1.
The Navajo Nation, the largest Native American tribe by both land and tribal enrollment, has been significantly impacted. The fire, which started 8 miles southwest of Window Rock, the Navajo Nation's capital, has prompted the evacuation of approximately 300-500 people, including some Episcopalians in the diocese.
The Navajo Nation President, Buu Nygren, declared a state of emergency on June 29. In response, the Navajo Nation Animal is sheltering pets and livestock, while shelters in Fort Defiance and Ganado are providing food, water, and emotional support services to evacuees.
Some Navajoland Episcopalians' sheep camps have been affected by the Oak Ridge Fire. The Good Shepherd Mission, an Episcopal church in Fort Defiance, Arizona, is closest to the wildfire. The Episcopal Church in Navajoland is calling for prayers due to the Oak Ridge Fire and is updating the public as more information becomes available on their website.
As of July 1, the Oak Ridge Fire has not received any specific donations for the evacuees on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona. The Navajo Nation's reservation occupies a large portion of the Four Corners region, including portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah.
The communications office for the Farmington, New Mexico-based diocese updated about the Oak Ridge Fire on July 1 on Navajoland's website. The cause of the Oak Ridge Fire remains unknown, but efforts to contain and extinguish the blaze are being made by 508 firefighters on the ground.
The Episcopal Church in Navajoland encourages everyone to keep the community affected by the Oak Ridge Fire in their prayers during these challenging times.
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