Wildfire Gives Mannford Residents Flashback To 2012 Fires

Firefighters spent hours fighting a grass fire in Mannford Monday afternoon.

Though they were able to contain it, it brought back tough memories from a fire that devastated parts of Creek County in 2012.

Several volunteer firefighters helped fight the grass fire Monday afternoon; and with the shifting winds, they couldn’t predict which way the flames could move.

Jamie Marquardt said it reminded him of the 2012 Mannford fires.

“Burnt to the back door of my house. If the fire department hadn't got there we would've lost the house. We lost all our buildings and stuff,” he said.

So Monday he and his neighbors watched the fire closely - ready to do whatever was needed to help.

2/8/2016 Related Story: Fast-Moving Wildfire Near Mannford Contained

Marquardt said, “We had shovels out earlier and got hoses and stuff out and got ready in case the fire department couldn't get here in time. That's all we can do to try and keep it from getting to the houses.”

The gusting wind kept fire crews busy, and kept Mikey Wells feeling unsettled.

“It's nerve wracking. You get a feeling in your stomach where you don't like it,” he said.

The last fire destroyed his home and all of his family’s belongings.

“You don't really feel that lost moment until it happens,” Wells said. “Going back to the place you lived, and all the memories you had, and it was a real intense moment for all of us.”

This time, their priority was to save his late grandmother’s home as smoke poured from the land around it.

“Protecting my grandma, who passed away, house. It still has meaning, so we're not going to let that go,” he said.

Crews said they will stay until necessary to keep an eye out for any hot spots.