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.