Wednesday, March 18, 2015

WILDFIRE CHARRED 37 SQUARE MILES IN RURAL WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND DESTROYED NUMEROUS PRIMARY RESIDENCES AND OUTBUILDINGS







MARCH 18, 2015

WOODWARD, OKLAHOMA. (AP)

Emergency personnel say a wildfire that has charred 37 square miles in rural western Oklahoma and destroyed at least six structures is about 70 percent contained as of last night.  Full containment of the Boiling Springs (Woodward) fire is expected this morning, March 18, 2015

Oklahoma Forestry Services spokeswoman Michelle Finch-Walker said Tuesday that a wind shift caused the fire to burn back into itself, allowing crews to make significant progress to extinguish the blaze.

She says the agency used bulldozers and road graders to clear vegetation to assist in firefighting efforts, and used helicopters to drop water on the flames.
Woodward County emergency manager Matt Lehenbauer (LEE'-en-bower) said state emergency officials will assess the damage.

Lehenbauer said an evacuation Monday afternoon forced about 125 people from their homes. The evacuation is now voluntary and it's not clear how many people had returned. He said some firefighters have suffered exhaustion, but there are no serious injuries.

The fire began Monday, March 16, 2015 near Boiling Springs State Park northeast of Woodward and was burning northeastward.  The cause hasn't been determined.

From Oklahoma’s Forestry Department

Suppression efforts continued on one large fire yesterday: 

Boiling Springs (Woodward County): This large wildfire started on 03/16/15 approximately two miles north and five miles east of Woodward. 

Yesterday’s suppression forces consisted of County Wildland Task Forces from Grady County and Alfalfa County, three Oklahoma Forestry Services Task Forces, two Oklahoma Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopters, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and miscellaneous single resources. 

Suppression efforts yesterday concentrated eliminating on several areas of actively burning fuels, primarily in deep canyons with difficult access. The fire has burned approximately 23,500 acres and as of yesterday evening is 70% contained. Numerous primary residences and outbuildings were destroyed.
The fire’s cause is under investigation. The fire is being managed under Unified Command with Woodward Fire Department, Mooreland Fire Department, and Oklahoma Forestry Services.

Light precipitation fell over the fire’s area overnight. Today’s activities include patrolling the fires perimeter and releasing all mutual aid and OFS resources.  Transfer of command back to the local jurisdictions will occur this morning. Full containment is expected this morning.