Fire Contained in Northwestern Oklahoma

Firefighters have contained a wildfire that destroyed three homes and burned 60,000 acres in northwestern Oklahoma.<BR><BR><A href="http://kotv.com/utils/slideshow/?id=c61e20ed-fd58-4f59-aba7-6203eaeb979e" target=_blank>View Photos of the Grassfire</A> | <A href="http://www.news9.com/global/Story.asp?s=10709527" target=_blank>Large Grassfire Sparked North of Chester</A> | <A href="http://www.news9.com/global/Story.asp?s=10712091" target=_blank>Triple-Digit Temps Take Toll on Crews</A>

Sunday, July 12th 2009, 11:04 pm

By: News 9

News9.com

CHESTER, Oklahoma - Firefighters have contained a wildfire that destroyed three homes and burned about 60,000 acres in northwestern Oklahoma.

The fire was contained during the night and firefighters remained on the scene Monday morning to keep hotspots under control, said Woodward County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer.

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for western and northwestern Oklahoma today. The watch includes Alfalfa, Blaine, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Major, Roger Mills, Woods and Woodward counties.

Rugged roads and tough terrain made it very challenging to fight the fire, only certain equipment was able to get near the flames.

Grassfire in Major County

Officials said the fire started when old exposed electrical lines started sparking.

Crews say the triple-digit temperatures didn't help. Three firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion.

"About every person's there for a number of hours and they're just completely exhausted to the point where it's totally unsafe for them to be back on the fire grounds," said Asst. Chief Eric Harlow, Deer Creek Fire Department.

More on News9.com:

- Large Grassfire Sparked North of Chester
- Triple-Digit Temperatures Take Toll on Fire Crews