Published: March 08, 2009 08:13 am      

Fire forces towns to evacuate

Area firefighters are bracing for a third day of battling a massive wildfire in Dewey County that has already ravaged more than 20,000 acres and forced the evacuation of two communities.

The fire, which started Thursday afternoon as winds rekindled embers from an earlier controlled burn, led officials to evacuate the community of Taloga for most of Thursday afternoon and evening, according to Woodward City/County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer. However, Taloga residents were allowed to return home around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, he said.

Residents of Putnam were also evacuated when winds shifted southward early Friday morning as the fire continued into its second day, Lehenbauer said. The Putnam residents were allowed back into their homes later Friday morning, he said.

Smoke from Thursday’s fire also caused US-183 between Taloga and Putnam to be closed to traffic from 1:45 p.m. Thursday until 2:35 a.m. Friday, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM).

The fire, which began in a rural area between Taloga and Putnam, burned a swath about 17 miles long as it traveled northeast toward the intersection of Highway 51 and US Highway 270, about six miles southeast of Seiling.

At times 60-foot flames were reported at the head of the fire, OEM said.

Lehenbauer said one home was confirmed destroyed. 

“An unknown number of barns and outbuildings and other structures have burned,” Lehenbauer said. “Cattle loss is initially being reported as significant. Most of the dead cattle we saw appeared to have died from smoke inhalation.”

Sharon Fire Chief Bill Phillips, who had been on the scene fighting the flames, estimated that the fire was “five miles wide” in areas.

Phillips could not say how many firefighters were involved in battling the flames, but said “there had to be 100 to 150 fire trucks.”

Lehenbauer said an Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter equipped with a 660-gallon bucket dropped water on hot spots.

In addition, a Forestry Service firefighter aboard an Oklahoma Highway Patrol plane provided additional tactical assistance for ground resources, OEM said.

According to OEM, men and equipment from as far away as Washington County reported to provide mutual aid, and more than 25 fire departments responded to the fire.

One firefighter was injured Thursday night, OEM said, noting the firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and later released from medical care.

Several state agencies provided a variety of assistance as part of the wildfire response including the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Military Department, State Fire Marshal and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

The Northwest Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross also provided assistance by setting up shelter for evacuees at the school gymnasium in Seiling, sheltering approximately 30 people Thursday evening, Lehenbauer said.

The Red Cross and Baptist Disaster Relief crew reported 2,500 meals and drinks had been served to first responders and citizens, he said.

Fire crews were finally able to get the fire mostly contained late Friday afternoon, Lehenbauer said, noting that the crews worked to extinguish as much of the flames as possible to help guard against another break out as winds kick back up today.

According to OEM, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a state request for federal assistance related to battling the wildfire.

Under the grant, funds are available to local governments and volunteer fire departments that responded to this fire, OEM said.

“Firefighters and other first-responders have done an incredible job battling the Taloga wildfire, and I am thankful that FEMA moved swiftly to provide federal assistance for their efforts,” Gov. Brad Henry said Friday in a press release. “This aid will go a long way toward helping the agencies involved in battling the blaze.”

However, Lehenbauer said there are a number of criteria that must be met and a lot of paperwork that must be completed before fire departments can receive any of that federal aid.

Even if departments were to qualify for and receive FEMA assistance, the federal aid would only help cover 75 percent of certain eligible costs.

Those wishing to offer further assistance, can make a donation to the American Red Cross or can contact Lehenbauer at (580) 254-8558 to make a donation to any of the Woodward County volunteer fire departments.



Staff Writer Rowynn Ricks also contributed to this article.