Fire Near Bixby Elementary School Out, No Structures Damaged

A grass fire Monday afternoon threatened Bixby Northeast Elementary at 11901 E. 131st Street South and surrounding homes. 

A firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation but is expected to be OK. 

The strong, gusty wind made it tough to fight and it took the Broken Arrow Fire Department about 90 minutes to put it out. No structures were damaged but the flames came very close to about a dozen homes.

Children at the school can be heard in a video sent to News On 6, worrying that their houses were on fire. The flames did approach several homes in the neighborhood, leaving blackened yards.

The northwest winds kept the fire from the elementary school.

That fire appears to be under control. One BA firefighter was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation; the chief said it was a precaution.Very high winds and low humidity mean rapid fire spread in Northeastern Oklahoma. 

Around 2 p.m., another fire erupted near US 66 and Industrial Rd. east of Chandler. That fire spread and eventually led to OHP shutting down westbound Interstate 44 in the area, but not before a chain reaction pileup crash occurred on the highway likely due to smoke.

2/8/2016 Related Story: High Winds Fueling Grass Fires Around The Metro

EMSA was called to the scene.

Traffic is moving slowly on the eastbound side of the turnpike. The westbound inside lane was opened around 4:00 p.m.

In Mannford crews are battling a grass fire as well. According to reports, firefighters responded to the Mannford City Lake near 41st Street and Highway 48.

News On 6 anchor, Meagan Farley, spoke to neighbors in the area who said they're on edge after dealing with large fires several years ago.

Smaller fires also popped up around Tulsa.

Firefighters quickly put out one near 43rd and Atlanta before it spread.

Another grass fire broke out near 166th North and Memorial around noon Monday. Firefighters tell News On 6 it appears someone was burning something on Sunday and didn't fully get the fire out.