Rush Fire battle at a stalemate

On the seventh day of battle against the Rush Fire at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, the firefight appears to be at a stalemate, according to officials.

The land, administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Oklahoma Forestry Services, remains at 12,488 acres burned and is 48 percent contained, according to Susie Heisey, Public Information Officer for the Southern Area Incident Management Team.

As of Wednesday morning, there are 26 engines, a Type 1 crew, two dozers, three helicopters, three water tenders and 161 people assigned to the fire.

Tuesday’s wind advisory had the potential to threaten containment with strong sustained winds and gusts over 50 miles per hour throughout the day, Heisey said.

“Fortunately, firefighters observed minimal fire activity, dominated by interior pockets of vegetation burning, posing no threat to containment,” she said. “Along the fire perimeter near Mt. Sheridan Estates and Meers, firefighters moved further interior mopping up with the goal of fully extinguishing hot spots to 100 foot inside the fire edge.”

On Wednesday, on the northeastern edge of the fire, firefighters continue mop up near Mt. Sheridan Estates and Meers, 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 have been inserted along the southern perimeter to monitor and patrol north of Oklahoma 49.

“The fuels on the fire continue to be extremely dry and grasses have the potential to carry fire quickly in shifting winds conditions,” she said. “Firefighters will be monitoring weather conditions carefully throughout the day with the chance of rain, but also the potential for strong and shifting winds.”

Although wind gusts near 35 miles per hour are threatening, rain chances into Wednesday night offer hope, according to Heisey.

The Refuge remains closed to the public due to smoke impacts from the Rush Fire and to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. This closure is for all public use areas, Heisey said. All Refuge entrance points remain closed. This includes 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.

The Comanche County Commissioners extended a countywide burn ban Tuesday. The ban remains in effect until at least Nov. 12. Emergency Management Specialist Thad Hulbert said the burn ban prohibits “any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands, or to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn rubbish, set fireworks or other material that may cause such a fire.”

Residents can sign up for the Comanche County Emergency Notifications and Alerts through their website at https://www.comanchecounty.us/emergency-notifications-systems.