Dense brush, flare ups made fighting difficult
Fire Chief Todd Yates said it was a long two days of fighting a brush fire with limited access in Newcastle last week.
The fire, which started on Wednesday next to the Suburban Estates housing addition off of State Highway 76 and 24th Street, was difficult to extinguish because it was in some thick woods.
“It was so thick that you couldn’t get in there and fight it,” Yates said. “Normally on a fire, you can get a brush truck in to a place, but not in there.”
Yates said extinguishing it took even longer because of flare ups.
He said Bridge Creek, Blanchard and Tuttle Fire Departments came to Newcastle to help out on the first day and then Bridge Creek and Blanchard Fire Departments returned on Thursday to continue aiding Newcastle Fire Department.
Oklahoma City sent a helicopter and did air drops to help with the blaze on Wednesday evening. Yates said that helped a lot to control the fire flare up areas.
As well, the Bureau of Indian Affairs joined in with a ground crew on Wednesday and Thursday.
Yates said they brought 10-12 firefighters, a side-by-side, blowers and chain saws.
The fire chief said the structures were a concern at first, but the perimeter of the fire was contained and then no structures were in danger. Yates said there was nothing reported on Friday, so he felt like the area was under control.
Heat impacted the firefighters but no one suffered heat-related problems.
“Heat takes a toll when it’s 100 degrees and you are fighting a fire, but we didn’t have any injuries or anything,” Yates said.
Yates said some of the firefighters’ wives brought water, Gatorade, hamburgers and snacks out to the scene.
He added, “We need some rain.”
