Cherokee County Fire Forces Closure Of Highway

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials close a state highway after fire swept through rugged terrain near the Illinois River.<br/><br/>Transportation Department spokesman

Tuesday, August 8th 2006, 6:07 am

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials close a state highway after fire swept through rugged terrain near the Illinois River.

Transportation Department spokesman David Meuser says the blaze was burning up on a mountain along Oklahoma Highway 10 about 15 miles north of Tahlequah in the Hanging Rock area Monday.

Meuser says officials became concerned after the fire sent embers, burning tree branches and rocks 120 feet below onto the 26-mile long highway, which parallel's the Illinois River.

He says officials thought it best to close the road until the fire can be redirected or brought under control. Meuser says that may not happen before noon Tuesday.

Tahlequah firefighters and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management had no immediate details on the fire.