May 24, 2013

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Bryan County fires keep crews busy

BRYAN COUNTY, OK -- Bryan County firefighters battled a 50 acre blaze outside of Caddo Monday afternoon.

The Caddo fire threatened three homes, which firefighters managed to save. They say that fire was accidental, but two others in Durant may have been intentionally set and could have had dangerous consequences.

Melessa Auldridge says she was at work when her husband called to tell her the field behind their home off Miller Road was on fire.

"My kids were at home, you know, I have a one year old and a three year old so I was scared," Auldridge said.

Caddo, Freeny Valley, Bokchito, and Durant fire departments all responded within a matter of minutes. Caddo Fire Chief Todd Miller says once they got there it did not take long to get the blaze under control.

"The winds were blowing pretty hard right at the start, but it did changed directions and helped us out right at the end," Miller said.

Miller says Auldridge's home was one of three houses in danger, but crews were able to put the fire out just in time.

"Very thankful. They came out so fast and put out the fire, and my family is safe," Auldridge said.

Miller says they believe a construction crew may have accidentally started the fire while working on Highway 69/75.

Just down the road in Durant, Durant and Calera crews struggled to fight two smaller fires. One off Cemetery Rd and the other off Alabama and 1st streets. Durant Battalion Chief Steve Stafford say the fires started around 4 o'clock and the dry weather made fighting the flames even harder.

"With the humidity at 19 percent it does have a tendency to spread pretty rapid," Stafford said.

Durant Fire Chief Roger Joines says both fires are suspicious. Stafford says witnesses saw kids in the area around the time the fires started.

"The fire chief is at this time asking a few questions from different people," Stafford said.

Now they are urging everyone to take the extreme wildfire danger warnings seriously.

"Just be extra cautious. It doesn't take but one spark for it to spread," Stafford said.

"You know we are still under a burn ban so just be careful and not do anything out of the ordinary," Miller said.

A reminder, the entire state of Oklahoma is still under a governor declared burn ban and outdoor burning is prohibited in Grayson County. Fannin and Cooke counties have lifted their bans, but emergency officials say even if your county is not under a burn ban you should still avoid outdoor burning.


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