Beckham County narrowly avoided disaster this past Sunday when a large wildfire broke out just three miles northwest of Sayre. The fire, fueled by strong winds, quickly moved southeast at a rate of 3 to 5 miles per hour, consuming everything in its path burning a total of 75 acres of rural land.
As the fire raged, high winds clocking in at 38 mph with gusts up to 45 mph made the blaze even more dangerous. Local firefighters, however, responded swiftly and were able to stop the forward progress of the fire within hours of its ignition. With their quick action, they minimized the potential for further damage, beginning the mop-up stages shortly thereafter with continued monitoring throughout the night to ensure all clear.
In the early hours of the fire, residents along North Electra Street, which lies just north of the Sayre Public Schools, were evacuated when heavy black smoke, and ash began to engulf that area. The Beckham County Community Barn served as the designated shelter for evacuees, providing safety from the advancing fire. The strong winds and unpredictable nature of the flames created significant concern for the safety of those in its path.
While the fire mainly affected rural areas, there was some damage to an oilfield yard, including older equipment, tires and fiberglass water tanks. Fortunately, no major structures were lost, and the fire didn’t spread into more populated areas of the city.
Sayre fire chief, Colter Sanders, sent in “I just want to say thank you to all the fire departments that helped: Berlin, Sweetwater, Cheyenne, Erick, Texola, Delhi, Carter, Canute and Elk City.” The combined efforts of these local fire crews and the community helped mitigate what could have been a much larger disaster. However, with wildfires becoming more common in recent years, the event highlights the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in the face of such threats.
The Sayre Fire Department was able to trace the fire back to a tree pile that had been set 22 days prior. While the burn pile had been initially extinguished, the recent dry conditions, combined with the strong winds, caused it to reignite. This serves as a reminder of the dangers of burn piles, particularly during dry, windy conditions, and the importance of ensuring they are fully out before considering them safe For now, the fire serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers’ nature can present, and the importance of preparedness and community support during emergencies.
