Crews In Bixby Keep 300-Acre Fire From Damaging Structures

Crews are keeping a watchful eye out for any potential flare-ups from Thursday's fire in Bixby.

Firefighters worked throughout the night to contain the fire, which was fueled by strong winds and the dry brush.

They say the fire is under control.

No structures were ever threatened, but in some areas, the fire got as close at 60 yards from some homes.

The folks we talked to today said they we never concerned, and they trusted the fire crews would do their job.

Bixby Fire Chief Steve Able said they first got word of a small fire burning on Wednesday.

They said that's pretty common – a fire that size would normally just burn itself out.

But when strong wind gusts started picking up Thursday morning the fire began to spread, that's when Bixby called for help from nine other fire departments.

Crews immediately began cutting tracks in front of the fire with bulldozers and began starting "back burns" to help keep the fire contained.

The fire burned about 300 acres -- and Fire Chief Steve Able says that's has a lot to do with the combined effort of all the departments.

"My guys are exceptional, everybody that helped us put a tremendous effort together," Able said. "We didn't have any damage to any structure, we didn't have any injuries, and no equipment damaged, and that's pretty good when you do something like this."

Able says the rough terrain made fighting the fire all the more difficult, and at its peak Thursday, more than 80 crews were on the ground helping.

On Friday, only six crews are needed to watch for any potential flare-ups.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.