Volunteer Fire Departments On Standby For Wildfire Threats, Chief Shares How To Prevent Them

Fire departments in parts of Oklahoma are on high alert due to high fire danger.

One fire chief in Osage County says a wildfire can start in seconds and spread just as fast. 

Fire stations have filled their tankers full of gas and water, charged their car batteries, and double-checked their equipment to make sure everything is working.

But there are ways you can help prevent wildfires.

Rock Fire is a volunteer fire department in Osage County, and fire Chief Charley Pearson said firefighters stay a little closer to town on red flag fire warning days. 

Some wildfires start naturally, while others are accidents.

"A cigarette butt being thrown out, a chain being drug along the highway from a vehicle, there's a lot of different ways a fire can be started. And we're just asking people to pay attention and be careful today," said Charley Pearson, Rock Fire Chief. 

Pearson said to keep your home clear of clutter to protect your home and help firefighters if your home is in danger from a wildfire.

"Keep grass down. Keep wood away from your house. Keep trees away back from your house. Because the barrier that we have in between you and the fire helps us out a whole bunch," Pearson said.

Pearson said Osage County is cattle country and some ranchers could lose a lot if a wildfire gets out of control.

"You see these big fields, these open fields, you see these cattle and that kind of stuff. That's our livelihood," he said. "If we lose that grass now, you're getting into our pocketbook. Now you're getting in the way we make our living."

When Springtime comes around, Pearson said people like to clean their yard and garden. And many people overestimate their ability to do controlled fires. 

"It can get away from you and that's a point we try to make is you may not do it intentionally, but it can happen. So on days like this, don't burn. Just wait. There will be a day," said Pearson.

Chief Pearson said if you see any smoke to call 911 so the fire department can respond.