Pontotoc County, Oklahoma Genealogy Trails

Major Fires of the County

In the battle against wildfires, Oklahoma fire fighters have a new enemy. Authorities say someone intentionally started grass fires Monday afternoon. Four blazes ignited near Roff, all of them around 1:00.  KTEN's Pete Tenney met up with fire fighters in Homer. Authorities do have some clues who might be starting the fires. Fire fighters say, it's someone trying to cause serious damage. Homer, OK was their latest target. Officials say it was set after 2:00, the fourth of the afternoon. This time, fire fighters were hot on their trail, to prevent severe destruction. "We had three engines and a hand crane," said Homer fire chief Gary Mankin. "We had an aircraft on standby, which we have here at the Ada airport.  Luckily this team got it under control."The first two fires Monday were in Roff, with the third coming in Vanoss. Authorities are looking for several suspicious vehicles, thought to be connected with the arsons. A blue truck, possibly an extended cab Chevy, was seen leaving the Vanoss fire today. Fire fighters saw two motorcycles leaving the fire at Homer. Pete Tenney, KTEN news  (June 23, 2006)

Grassfires spark across county  Governor issues emergency burn ban for entire state ADA--Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry issued an emergency statewide burn ban Tuesday because of the high winds, dry conditions and a series of recent wildfires across the state.  Gusty winds wreaked havoc in Pontotoc and surrounding counties Tuesday. Leaves, trash and dust could be seen blowing all over the area. In neighborhoods, trash cans rolled up and down streets and from one yard to another. With wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour and humidity at 24 percent, firefighters were kept busy all day with grass fires. Ada had two grass fires in the city limits, including one in Rosedale Cemetery on Ada?s northwest side. A fallen electric pole ignited the grass as electricity arced between wires and the ground. An OG&E employee said the wind was the most likely culprit because the fallen pole snapped in two at the base. Ada firefighters doused the flames as they traveled eerily between headstones.  Several grass fires in the county kept many volunteer fire departments busy, including those in Fittstown, Union Valley, Stonewall, Francis, Lula, Homer, Happyland, Fitzhugh and Byng just to name a few.  We need to do everything we can to protect our lives and property,? Henry said. I'm urging all Oklahomans to exercise caution and use common sense. A burn ban won't prevent every fire, but it will help lessen the danger. Under the governor's executive order, outdoor burning is banned, but there are some exemptions for low risk activities such as charcoal and gas grilling. Occupations such as welding can also be exempt, provided tradesmen follow specific protections outlined by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. Violations of the ban are misdemeanors punishable by as much as a $500 dollar fine and one-year imprisonment.  I would prefer to err on the side of caution and issue the ban before conditions deteriorate any further, Henry said. It may cause a small inconvenience for some Oklahomans, but it will also help reduce the number of dangerous fires and possibly save lives in the process.  Temperatures dropped and winds changed direction as a cold front moved across Oklahoma Tuesday. Winds will be 20-30 miles per hour with gusts up to 40 Wednesday with low humidity, according to weather forecasters who are predicting lower temperatures and a slight chance of rain on Thursday. Source:  Ada Evening News Published January 30, 2008