WILDFIRES that have destroyed thousands of acres and led to the mass evacuation of people and livestock on the Navajo Nation in the US are at last being brought under control after blazing for more than a week.
More than 11,000 acres have been burned in the fires. At one point, more than 600 firefighters were brought in to tackle the blaze. The fires are believed to have been started deliberately.
The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe by land and by membership. It has more than 350,000 members and its land includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
The Episcopal Church in Navajoland has called for prayers for residents and firefighters. It also asked people to write notes of encouragement and gratitude to firefighters. “If you feel called to offer support, the most meaningful way at this time is to write notes or create signs of encouragement for firefighters and emergency personnel. These messages are being shared with crews and bring great comfort and strength,” its website says.
All evacuation notices were lifted on Tuesday morning, and residents were allowed to return, although some fires are still active.
Navajoland became a missionary diocese of the Episcopal Church only last month, through a vote in the Church’s Executive Council. It was previously an Episcopal mission, which meant it could not elect its own bishop. The new diocesan constitution says that it will adhere to the “historic and sacred traditions of the Navajo people as well as the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church”.
