Navajo Firefighters Deployed to Fires in Ration and Carlsbad

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

Two Crews Deployed

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA - Two Navajo Nation fire crews were deployed on Tuesday morning to the Track Fire in Belen and the Loop Fire in Carlsbad to join with New Mexico firefighting efforts.

"We are very proud of our firefighters and police officers as they assist local, federal and state fire management agencies in New Mexico and Arizona. We are praying for the safety and well-being of all firefighters and personnel on the ground, in the air and on the frontlines," said Ben Shelly, president of the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Nation Division of Health staff under a 24-hour emergency stand-by notice.

Night Fire 275 Rd/Alpine

David Nez, Director of the Public Health and Emergency Preparedness also led a group of volunteers from the Navajo Nation Division of Health (NNDOH) today to help serve and stock food at the Apache County Emergency Operations center in Eager for the next three days.

"Yesterday we toured the Wallow Fire and the affected communities, it was a devastating scene, and we will continue to do all we can to help the firefighters," stated Mr. Nez. "Our NNDOH staff is under a 24-hour emergency stand-by status until the fire is deemed under control."

The Navajo Forestry Division and the Navajo Region Fire Dispatch are working closely in coordination with the Southwest Coordination Center in Albuquerque to deploy Navajo firefighters where they are needed most.

President Shelly concluded: "We have a reserve crew of 40 Navajo Scouts who stand ready to protect our Navajo Forests and woodlands from any fire threats or danger."

Photography credit Kari Green/US Forest Service

posted June 16, 2011 8:27 am et