Tide turns in Rush Fire fight

And on the eighth day, the tide has turned in the Rush Fire fight at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Susie Heisey, Public Information Officer for the Southern Area Incident Management Team, said on Thursday the fire is 61 percent contained and the total acres burned remains at 12,488.

There are currently 23 engines, one Type 1 crew, two dozers, three helicopters, four water tenders and 202 people assigned to the fire., Heisey said.

The turn in the tide allowed for the reopening of Lake Lawtonka to boaters and those seeking access to the water, according to Comanche County Lawton Emergency Management.

Following an at least quarter-inch of rainfall overnight that fell across the fire line and lighter wind from the past few days, Heisey said, firefighters are finally getting help from the elements against the fire that began Oct. 24.

On Thursday, along the northeast edge of the fire, firefighters focused on breaking up dozer berms along the fire edge, exposing any heat that may remain inside those berms, Heisey said. On the northwestern edge of the fire along Black Bear Springs, a hot shot crew and engines continue to identify and extinguish hot spots and areas of heat. Additional engines continued to monitor and patrol Oklahoma 49 and Oklahoma 115.

Minimal fire behavior was expected Thursday, Heisey said, but firefighters remain vigilant with the changing wind direction and the potential for new fire starts.

The Refuge remains closed due to smoke impacts from the Rush Fire and to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public, Heisey said. This closure is for all public use areas, including Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area, Dog Run Hollow Trail System, Boulder Cabin and Picnic Areas, Lost Lake, Doris Campground, the Environmental Education Center, the Visitor Center, Holy City, the Parallel Forest, and Mount Scott.

All entrance points to the refuge remain closed. There are road closures on Oklahoma 115 at the Cache and Meers Gates, on Oklahoma 49 at the West Gate located Northwest of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area and at the Medicine Park Refuge entrance. Indiahoma Road is also closed South of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area.

“Entering a closed National Wildlife Refuge is a violation of federal law and is cause for fine or arrest,” she said

Comanche County remains in a countywide burn ban through Nov. 15 at least.

A temporary flight restriction remains in effect in and around the fire area.