Oklahoma firefighters battle flare-ups but say worst is over

Carter County volunteer firefighters continued to douse hot spots and flare-ups Saturday from fires that ignited Thursday and were whipped by strong winds into frenzied infernos that swept across an estimated 51,000 acres in northwest portions of the county.

Ed Reed, Carter County Emergency Operations Center director, said Saturday afternoon the National Weather Service’s forecast that included rain overnight Saturday and into the morning and a second weather system that could produce more rain offered hope the fire danger would be quenched. Reed said an early afternoon conversation with the NWS indicated it was possible rain clouds could dump between 1 and 2 inches over Carter County. But the question of exactly where that rain would fall remained unanswered.

“At this point anything we get to dampen sparks will be good. But we all know it could rain in some areas and not in others,” Reed said, adding the second storm system was expected to be stronger than the first.

“We have qualified knowledgeable people out there in all the areas that remain problems. The volunteer fire departments are keeping a watch on their areas and are doing an excellent job on the flare-ups. The forestry service has crews working dozers in shifts breaking up the north end of the fire at Healdton,” Reed said.

Reed estimated 150 firefighters battled blazes the surged through the Fox-Graham-Sneed areas, as well as Healdton, Ratliff City and Tatums. The numbers included area volunteer firefighters, as well as Ardmore Fire Department and firefighters representing at least 15 departments from as far away as Norman and Purcell.

“And all three Carter County Commissioners were out. The commissioners had their employees helping and supplied dozers and tank trunks, which were placed in strategic locations,” Reed said.

“Carter County Sheriff Ken Grace was out, as were deputies, and Ardmore police also assisted. The turnout was tremendous –– it’s a sign that like always when tragedy hits everyone works together.”

Reed said Saturday that fire chiefs were still working to provide an accurate list of the property that had been destroyed.

“Right now the information is still incomplete. As of early Friday there were 11 residences in Sneed that had reportedly burned, four in Graham, plus the Fox-Graham Volunteer Fire Department, 27 in the Ratliff City-Tatums area and another 20 in Healdton,” he said. “How many more there are I don’t know. But I’m to have all completed reports by Monday.”

Mike and Jana Davis represent one of the families who lost their home to the waves of flames that crested north of Fox. Friday, Davis spoke with Ardmoreite reporter Steve Biehn about the fire that destroyed his home and five others, all located within a half-mile of each other.

Davis and his wife stood visiting with friends and family members in front what remained of their house. Davis said his family had lived in the area for 31 years and in the house reduced to ashes and smoking debris for 23 years.

“No one was in the house except our dog and we got her out,” he said. “Luckily, I got some pictures and some clothes out.”

Davis said he and his wife are staying with their daughter for now.

Around noon, Biehn was in Tatums and watched, with Carter County Undersheriff Milton Anthony and Lt. Gary Smith, as firefighters from Ratliff City, Philadelphia and Bochito unsuccessfully tried to save a residence consumed in flames.

“Thick black smoke from the fire was visible for miles,” Biehn said.

Although the blazes viciously attacked houses, barns, farm equipment and vehicles, no lives were lost and only three injuries were reported. Reed said he had reports of one Carter County firefighter treated for smoke inhalation and another local firefighter sent home for rest after heat briefly affected his eyes.

“His eyes are fine and he’ll be back up and ready to go after some rest,” Reed said. “And the only other injury I’ve been told about was a firefighter from an outside department who may have broken his hand.”

Carter County Sheriff Ken Grace said the acres scorched by Thursday’s rampaging flames was more than double the number that burned in similar fires that swept through much the same area in 2006 when the official estimate stopped at about 20,000 acres.

Grace praised the all around effort to staunch the tide of fire and protect lives and property.

“I really don’t know what this county or any county around us would do if we didn’t have volunteer firefighters and all the others who volunteered to come in and help,” Grace said. “It was a big uncontrollable deal. It was constantly changing every few minutes. It rolled fast and hot and would jump roads in just seconds. It was a scary deal.”

The Daily Ardmoreite