Rush Fire continues to burn on sixth day, Refuge remains closed

In its sixth day of burning, officials said the Rush Fire at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has burned 12,488 acres and was considered 48 percent contained by noon Tuesday.

The land, administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Oklahoma Forestry Services currently has 26 engines, four dozers, three helicopters, three water tenders and 125 people assigned to the fire, according to Susie Heisey, Public Information Officer for the Southern Area Incident Management Team.

On Monday, engine crews continued to make progress on the northwest edge of the fire along Black Bear Springs, ensuring that winds from the south did not threaten containment, Heisey said. On the northeast portion of the fire, engines focused on mopping up all areas of heat near structures in the community of Meers and Mt. Sheridan Estates. Engines patrolled the fire edge around Jed Johnson Lake, the Holy City and north of Oklahoma 49 for any areas of heat, only finding heat well interior from the fire edge, with no threat to the containment line.

Tuesday, the area was under a red flag warning with south winds between 20 to 30 miles per hour. With gusts up to 50 mph, according to Comanche County Lawton Emergency Management.

Heisey said Tuesday’s south winds continue to expose areas of heat and interior unburned pockets continue to be consumed. On all areas of the northern perimeter, including Mt. Sheridan Estates and Meers, firefighters will extinguish areas of heat up to 100 feet interior from the fire edge to ensure that burning embers do not cross the fire perimeter into unburned fuel.

North of Oklahoma 49, firefighters are working to extinguish areas of heat that are identified and will cold trail along the southern fire perimeter, taking extra time to ensure that all areas are cold to the touch and completely extinguished.

With all the fire, don’t forget the smoke that comes with it, according to Heisey. Smoke can be harmful to your health. Check with your doctor if there are any health concerns and monitor your local air quality conditions using the Fire and Smoke Map. Current Smoke Outlook for SW Oklahoma.

Following immediate evacuations of residential additions on Oct. 24, there are none in place for the fire as of Tuesday, according to Heisey. That doesn’t mean you should be complacent.

“Residents close to the fire area should stay alert and informed on the current fire situation,” she said. “Changes to evacuations will be made in consultation between fire managers and the Comanche County Emergency Management.”

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

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. 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.

The Comanche County Commissioners are to meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday to discuss continuing the countywide burn ban that has been in effect since Sept. 26.

Heisey noted that temporary flight restriction remain in effect in and around the fire area. Air support has been an integral part of the firefighting effort and abstention by the public is necessary.

“The use of personal drones is always prohibited on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge,” she said. “If you fly, we cannot fly.”