Ark City firefighters were busy with several grass fires Tuesday — including one that forced evacuations of casinos north of Newkirk near the stateline.
According to a news release from Ark City Fire/EMS Thursday morning, the first incident was reported at approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday in the vicinity of Lord Road and Chestnut Avenue by Parkerfield, where crews discovered a barn fully involved and a grass fire ignited from flying embers behind 301 N. Country Club Road.
The fire extended to a detached garage before being brought under control. Firefighters from Winfield and Udall fire departments aided. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation. Estimated damage is valued at $25,000.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Ark City crews responded to a reported grass fire near 111th Road and 312th Road, where approximately 30 acres of grass and wooded areas were burning. Oklahoma departments assisted in containment efforts. Crews spent two and a half hours on the scene before the fire was controlled. The cause is under investigation.
Around 7:15 p.m., that evening, responders were dispatched to 91st Road and 312th Road areas for a grass fire covering less than an acre. Crews quickly extinguished the fire upon arrival. The cause is also under investigation.
Then at 8 p.m., ACFD/EMS aided with a reported grass fire in the Chilocco Indian School area and remained on scene for an hour and a half.
The final incident of the day was reported at approximately 8:20 p.m. near 31st Road and 332nd Road, where crews promptly extinguished a grass fire covering less than an acre upon arrival. Like the other fires, the cause is under investigation.
