Film Students To Document Wildfire Recovery, Mannford Newspaper Reports

Two University of Notre Dame students plan to film a documentary on Creek County wildfire recovery efforts, according to a Friday story in the Mannford Eagle.

Patrick Nguyen and Johnny Whichard told the newspaper plans aren't to provide an overall view of the fires, but to show how they impacted residents who lost their livelihood.

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Nguyen is an Owasso graduate and his partner hails from California, the Eagle reported.

They are working on the project for a film class, but the pair have bigger plans to establish a charity and give back to fire victims.

"The grade is secondary," Nguyen told the newspaper. "Our goal is just wanting to help out."

The historic fires in August burned through 90 square miles over six days and left nearly 400 homes in ashes.

Billy Cloud, 36, of Bristow, was charged on Wednesday with third-degree arson and is alleged to have ignited the flames when he tossed a lighted cigarette onto the grass during a statewide burn ban. He is still considered a wanted man.

To read the full story in the Mannford Eagle and find out how you can help the filmmakers with their goals, click here.