A wildfire that started nearly a week ago near Hitchcock in Blaine County, has scorched thousands of acres but so far, no occupied homes have been burned, an official says.
State Rep. Mike Dobrinksi, who said he lives east of Okeene in Blaine County, stated the fire originated Thursday afternoon, July 14, about 15 miles southwest of his home west of Hitchcock.
He said he's been able to help secure state resources to battle the raging wildfire.
"I'm certainly staying out of the way of our fire professionals, but I've been able to help secure some state resources. Gov. Stitt (Kevin) had to approve the Air National Guard and they have provided a couple of helicopters. We've already had them for three days, they were back Tuesday," he noted.
Dobrinksi said an estimated 9,800 acres had been burned by Monday evening, noting, "It's still going. Some remote areas they haven't been able to control. It will be about 10,000 acres," he thinks.
Tuesday morning, Dobrinksi said the south winds were calm and a prescribed burn of about 150 acres was started.
"Everybody was hoping this would work and it appears it's working," he related. "Both helicopters are here this morning and will continue to be the remainder of the day.
"The wind is supposed to change to the north, but not until later this afternoon." He said the hope was to get it done Tuesday before the temperature reached the forecasted high of 113.
"We feel a helluva lot better than we did five days ago," Dobrinksi said.
He said some remote areas would continue to burn and smolder for several days, "but they are in a confined area and not a threat," he stressed.
Dobrinksi said Blaine County Sheriff Travis Daugherty told him the State Fire Marshall was on the ground Monday and they expect some news soon.
He emphasized, "We feel very comfortable where we are."
He knew of only two homes that had been destroyed, both unoccupied. He said those were older homes. Several outbuildings had been burned as well.
"No livestock has been lost due to enough personnel being able to help move them. The majority of the area burned has been rough acreage, rough terrain and no homesteads lost," Dobrinksi reiterated.
The State Forestry Service which is under the State Department of Agriculture has been assisting as well, said Dobrinksi, who represents House District 59 that includes Blaine County.
He said once the fire started, it moved about seven miles to the north and west on the east side of Southard which is the home of the U.S. Gypsum Plant. "It wasn't threatened. There's a large quarry area that wasn't threatened either, it's relatively safe and has been a great place for a staging area," Dobrinksi said.
He said at the south end of the fire, it was about five miles wide.
Dobrinksi pointed to all the assistance provided. "There have been lots of task forces from Oklahoma and Texas, in addition to Forestry, the National Guard and all have provided a ton of help.
He pointed to the community outpouring of support of food, snacks, drinks, and a lot of other help.
Robert Daugherty is fire chief in Watonga. "We've had 10 of our 14 firefighters out there," he said, in talking about his department providing assistance.
He noted that a lot of different task forces and resources have been utilized like transport drivers, farmers with tractors and others.
He mentioned, too, cause of this wildlife is still under investigation.