Wildfire Burns Near Woodward

Authorities say a fire that burned about 1,500 acres in Harper County has been put out.

Tuesday, February 3rd 2009, 8:01 am

By: News On 6

Associated Press

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) -- Authorities say a fire that burned about 1,500 acres in Harper County has been put out.

Officials say the 50 or so people who evacuated their homes about 1:30 Monday were back at home several hours later. There were no reports of injuries or structural damage.

Woodward County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer says the blaze began on Saturday and re-ignited intermittently over the weekend. The latest flare charred acreage near Selman.

Lehenbauer estimated that about 10,000 acres in all have been burned since Saturday.

He credited a helicopter with a water bucket with finishing off the flames. Lehenbauer says the helicopter provided aerial assistance and got water to hard-to-reach canyons that dot the area.

The fire danger has been high in western Oklahoma, which has been dry for months and largely missed out on a winter storm last month.

Lehenbauer says a few days of lighter winds will hopefully allow officials to repair damaged trucks and provide some needed rest for firefighters.