Fire crews working to contain refuge blaze

Firefighters continue to battle a blaze on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge that had already burned almost 1,250 acres, as of Monday morning.

And, Comanche County Commissioners will meet in special session at 2 p.m. today to extend a burn ban that had been in place since Sept. 14 because of excessively dry conditions.

Officials with the Comanche County Emergency Management Office said early Monday the Southern Area Red Team had assumed command of the Rush Fire, which already has firefighters from departments across the region fighting to contain a blaze that has burned property on the refuge and nearby civilian lands. Officials said there were 33 engines, six dozers, one helicopter, two fixed-wing air tankers, eight water tenders and 159 people assigned to the fire that began Thursday in the area of Rush Lake, which is in the center part of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Holy City of the Wichitas.

Commissioners briefly discussed the situation at Monday morning’s meeting, and District 3 Commissioner Josh Powers, who chairs the board, spent most of the day on the refuge, where he expected to meet with federal officials. Powers said Monday fire officials were staging equipment and personnel north of the fire, “with anticipation that it will get off the refuge” and also were watching an area south of the fire for the potential of another fire. Conditions were worsened Monday by winds that were projected to be 20 to 30 miles per hour, with possible gusts over 40 miles per hour coupled with low humidity levels. Windy conditions are expected to continue today.

“We’re doing preparatory work, to get ahead of the game,” Powers said of the actions.

Officials also continue with steps intended to safeguard the public, including closing the entire refuge. The closure includes all public use areas east of Indiahoma Road, including those outside the fire area, such as Dog Run Hollow Trail System, Lost Lake, Camp Doris and the Visitor Center, as well as those close to the fire, such as Rush and Jed Johnson lakes, Holy City and Mount Scott. All entrances into the refuge were closed Saturday and remain closed, officials said.

In addition to road closures, federal officials said a temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. That includes the use of drones.

“Be advised, no drones are approved to fly in the refuge,” said Peter Myers, operations chief with the Southern Area Red Team, in a briefing late Monday morning.

Officials expected to focus their attention Monday on the northwest, north and northeast perimeters of the fire, to include the Meers, Mount Sheridan Estates and other communities adjacent to the fire area. There were no evacuations in effect early Monday, but those living near the fire have been warned to stay alert and informed on the fire situation. Social media sources also were full of offers from those well outside the fire area, offering pasture lands to hold animals for those who wanted to evacuate livestock.

Myers said work accomplished to date is beginning to contain the fire.

“All lines held yesterday (Sunday),” he said in his briefing, adding areas around Holy City and Jed Johnson Lake are “looking good.”

Myers also said two more helicopters were in route to the scene.