Single Publication

Rush Fire

Fire Information - 580-257-7839        2024.Rush@FireNet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/okwmr-rush-fire 

Facebook: @WichitaMountainsWildlifeRefuge

Tuesday October 29, 2024

Overview: The Rush Fire is on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and lands administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Oklahoma Forestry Services. The Rush Fire is currently 12,488 acres and 48% contained. There are currently 26 engines, 4 dozers, 3 helicopters, 3 water tenders and 125 people assigned to the fire. 

Operations: Yesterday, engine crews continued to make progress on the northwest edge of the fire along Black Bear Springs, ensuring that winds from the south did not threaten containment. On the northeast portion of the fire, engines focused on mopping up all areas of heat near structures in the community of Meers and Mt Sheridan Estates. Engines patrolled the fire edge around Jed Johnson Lake, the Holy City and north of Hwy 49 for any areas of heat, only finding heat well interior from the fire edge, with no threat to the containment line. 

Today, winds from the south will continue to expose areas of heat and interior unburned pockets continue to be consumed. On all areas of the northern perimeter, including Mt. Sheridan Estates and Meers, firefighters will extinguish areas of heat up to 100 feet interior from the fire edge to ensure that burning embers do not cross the fire perimeter into unburned fuel. North of Hwy. 49, firefighters will extinguish areas of heat that are identified and will cold trail along the southern fire perimeter, taking extra time to ensure that all areas are cold to the touch and completely extinguished. 

Weather: A Wind Advisory is in effect today until 8:00 p.m. Winds will be out of the south at 35 miles per hour with gusts to 50 miles per hour. Relative humidity will drop to about 43% and temperatures will reach 83 degrees.

Smoke: Smoke can be harmful to your health. Check with your doctor if there are any health concerns and monitor your local air quality conditions using the Fire and Smoke Map. Current Smoke Outlook for SW Oklahoma

Evacuations: There are no evacuations in place for the Rush Fire. Residents close to the fire area should stay alert and informed on the current fire situation. Changes to evacuations will be made in consultation between fire managers and the Comanche County Emergency Management. Residents can sign up for the Comanche County Emergency Notifications and Alerts through their website at https://www.comanchecounty.us/emergency-notifications-systems

Closures and Restrictions: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is currently closed due to smoke impacts from the Rush Fire and to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. This closure is for all public use areas, including Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area, Dog Run Hollow Trail System, Boulder Cabin and Picnic Areas, Lost Lake, Doris Campground, the Environmental Education Center, the Visitor Center, Holy City, the Parallel Forest, and Mount Scott.  

All entrance points to the refuge are closed. There are road closures on Highway 115 at the Cache and Meers Gates, on Highway 49 at the West Gate located Northwest of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area and at the Medicine Park Refuge entrance. Indiahoma Road is also closed South of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area. Entering a closed National Wildlife Refuge is a violation of federal law and is cause for fine or arrest.

Comanche County has a countywide burn ban in effect. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. The use of personal drones is always prohibited on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. If you fly, we cannot fly.