Dozens of homes destroyed in series of weekend wildfires
Dozens of homes destroyed in series of weekend wildfires
08 August 2011
published by www.kjrh.com
USA — Wildfires were uncontrollable over the weekend as firefighters fought blazes across Green Country and nearly two dozen homes were destroyed.
A fire in Pawnee County reignited Monday morning. Crews have responded from more than 30 nearby departments and the National Guard is on scene providing assistance.
The Department of Public Safety reports that eastbound lanes of the Cimarron Turnpike are closed and traffic is being diverted at the State Highway 99 gate at mile marker 48.
According to DPS, a large back-up of vehicles between mile markers 58 and 48.5 are currently cluttering the eastbound.
So far, at least 20 homes in Terlton are destroyed by flames licking through the area. In addition to that, countless sheds and cars were swallowed by the wildfires.
Firefighters worked around the clock over the weekend. Several were treated for heat exhaustion.
Containment has proven difficult. Just as soon as the fires are under control, the winds help the blazes to reignite.
Hundreds have been evacuated, not knowing if they’ll have homes when they return.
One resident refused to leave their home in Terlton. The house later caught fire and the resident was life-flighted to a Tulsa hospital with very serious injuries.
Not far away in Mannford, fires have destroyed about 10 homes, but firefighters say the fire is finally contained.
Crews worked throughout the weekend near Keystone Lake, taking only periodic breaks.
