Residents who were urged to evacuate their homes yesterday afternoon due to a wildfire in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge are now able to return home. The residents had to evacuate for almost 24 hours as the wildfire was endangering their homes.

What is now being called the "Rush Fire" first started around 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. It began near Rush Lake on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, southwest of Mount Scott and The Holy City of the Wichitas. Residents living in or near Mount Sheridan Estates, Camp Y'Shua, Meets, Mount Village Park and areas along State Highway 115 were told to evacuate late in the afternoon Thursday.

Shelters for those who were having to evacuate opened up at the Comanche Nation Tribal Complex and Arena Cowboy Church. Residents of the evacuated areas stated that the day had been "stressful" but were thankful for the personnel fighting the fire and keeping it under control.

Nearly 30 different local, county, state, tribal and federal agencies have responded to the wildfire and have been using multiple containment efforts to keep the wildfire at bay. According to a Facebook post from the Friends of the Wichitas, over 180 personnel were working to contain the wildfire.

As of 11:30 a.m. Friday, the conditions of the wildfire had improved as the winds shifted earlier Friday morning. It was estimated that the wildfire had burned a total of 1,500 acres of land, including 900 acres on the refuge and 400 acres off the refuge.

Evacuation ordered lifted for most areas Friday afternoon.

The evacuation order was still in effect Friday morning, but as the day went on, Comanche County Emergency Management lifted the evacuation order at 12:48 p.m. Friday. Residents in the areas of Mount Sheridan Estates, Mountain Village Park, Meers and Camp Y'Shua were allowed to return home.

Although, fire crews are still working in the area as of the lifting of the evacuation order. Only residents are allowed in the areas. Residents are urged to use caution when returning home.

As of 2 p.m. Friday, there has been no report of any homes being damaged by the wildfire.

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