|
Listen to this article here
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
COMANCHE COUNTY, Okla.–As the Rush Lake wildfire continues to burn across southwestern Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Monday morning, volunteers from Meers Fire Department describe stories of bravery and resilience from the communities closest to the blaze.
Since Thursday, over 12,000 acres have burned across the refuge as crews from local, state and federal agencies respond. Only 48% of the fire is currently contained , according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Communities north of the refuge in Holy City, Mountain Village and Mountain Sheridan Estates were able to return to their homes after an evacuation order had been lifted. However, strong winds and dry conditions Monday and Tuesday risk a repeat of the danger. Much of Oklahoma remains on a burn ban as nearly two dozen fires have sparked across the state in the last few days.
Notably, the Meers Fire Department has acted as a safe point for people seeking resources and assistance. For volunteer members of the department like Clay and Victoria Zelbst, the wildfire has been a constant up close and personal threat.
“A large portion of the fire has been on our ranch,” Clay Zelbst told the Black Wall Street Times Saturday. The couple live on the local U2 ranch, which has had a front seat to the blaze.
Volunteers from Meers Fire Department spring into action
Clay said the support from firefighters from inside and outside the county has been amazing to watch.
“And let’s keep in mind, a lot of them are volunteers,” Victoria Zelbst added.
From 4 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday morning, Clay and other local volunteer firefighters battled the blazes while logistical operators like Victoria supported efforts from the office. Crews narrowly managed to stop the flames from destroying a local church in Holy City. So far, no damage to homes or injuries have been reported.
Local ranchers have come together to allow neighbors to share grazing land and food for their cattle and horses. Meanwhile, donations have poured in to support the Meers Fire Department and other local efforts.
Still, Victoria remembers several close calls when evacuation orders first came down Thursday in Mountain Village.
“Paul Adams is a local bus driver that’s on our Meers Fire Department. He was dropping off kids on the bus at the end of their driveways to get into their parents’ cars to evacuate,” Victoria told the Black Wall Street Times. “A lot of these volunteer firefighters, they’re retired. They’re ex firefighters; they’re emergency responders in some other capacity.”
Backburning: Fighting fire with fire
Because of the size of the blaze and its location atop the Wichita Mountains, firefighters can’t put out the center of the wildfire themselves. That’s led airplanes from different agencies to take water from Lake Lawtonka and disperse it across the flames.
Meanwhile, to keep the barriers of the blazes from going past the refuge into local communities, firefighters have engaged in a technique called backburning. Since fire needs fuel like grass or brush to spread, crews cut a break in the brush, leaving nothing but dry dirt. That allows them to lead the fire in a different direction.
“We cut this fire break road and essentially backburn it to the south, back into the mountain,” Clay said.
While some residents worry about the danger posed to wildlife in one of the nation’s ancient wildlife refuges, officials have said the animals are able to escape harm’s way.
“The plants and animals here are adapted to deal with fire as a natural process that often reinvigorates things,” said Amber Zimmerman, Refuge Manager at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. “Most of the animals in the area can escape the fire either by leaving the area or burrowing. So, this is not going to be a mass event for our wildlife,” she said.
What’s next
Ultimately, as Monday brings winds of 30 to 40 mph, officials urge residents to remain vigilant and avoid actions that could spark another wildfire. Meanwhile, Wednesday is expected to bring much-needed rain.
“We’re gonna have to stay vigilant as we approach Monday and Tuesday,” Clay said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if there was another evacuation order issued for this neighborhood. I don’t think it’ll happen, but I hate to put the cart before the horse.”
To donate to the Meers Fire Department, you can mail a check to 26362 State Hwy 115, Lawton, Oklahoma, 73507.
Related Stories
- Large Oklahoma wildfire threatens homes near Wichita Mountains
- Historic wildfires continue to threaten Western Oklahoma
- Buffalo firefighters save family and Christmas during winter storm