Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Remains Closed As Rush Fire Continues

Over the weekend, the Rush Fire continued burning through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwest Oklahoma. On Monday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided an update on the wildfire and announced that the refuge would remain closed as containment efforts continued.

In the press release issued at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 28, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated that the Rush Fire has burned 12,497 acres and is 48 percent contained. The Southern Area Red Team has assumed command of the fire. At present, there are 33 engines, six dozers, one helicopter, two fixed wing air tankers, eight water tenders and 159 personnel are all working on containment measures.

Currently, all entrances to the refuge are closed. Road closures also include Highway 115 at the Cache and Meers Gates, Highway 49 at the West Gate northwest of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area, the Medicine Park Refuge entrance and Indiahoma Road, south of Charon's Garden Wildness Area. The public is urged to not drive around the road closures.

The closures also includes 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.

Smoke from the Rush Fire may impact surrounding communities.

As the Rush Fire continues to burn, surrounding communities may be impacted by smoke. As winds shift out of the south on Monday, Oct. 28, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife expects communities surrounding the refuge to be impacted by smoke. They urge smoke-sensitive individuals and those with respiratory illnesses or heart conditions to take precautionary measures.

No evacuation orders are in effect due to the Rush Fire.

As of Monday, Oct. 28, the Comanche County Emergency Management does not have any evacuation orders in effect due to the Rush Fire. When the fire began Oct. 24, the Comanche County Emergency Management issued evacuation orders for multiple residential areas near the wildfire. Residents were allowed to return home the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 25.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated in its press release that any future evacuation orders would be issued by Comanche County Emergency Management.