A brush fire broke out Sunday afternoon in Shiprock on Mesa Farms Road. The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Nation Wildland Fire & Aviation Management reports after the perimeter was remapped, the fire was determined to be 422 acres and is 60% contained as of Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire is unknown.
The BIA reports that crews will be mopping up and continuing to secure the fire perimeter on Tuesday, May 4 as crews will be working near the fire’s edge and extinguishing any locations that are holding heat. Fire officials say resources will be available for initial attack for any new starts in the area of Shiprock.
As of Monday, evacuations for the residents in the immediate area of the fire have been lifted. Mesa Farm Road has reopened. The BIA is asking the public to reduce their speed and drive with caution as fire resources are still in the area.