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Wichita County officials report 482‑acre blaze, keep county burn ban in place
Summary
Emergency management briefed commissioners on high‑wind fires that burned roughly 482 acres over the weekend; officials recommended continuing the current burn ban because of low humidity, gusty winds and dry fuels. No formal vote was taken; renewal is scheduled for the March 27 agenda.
Wichita County emergency management officials told the Commissioner's Court on March 17 that multiple high‑wind fires over the weekend—including a Riley Loop/Walker Road incident reported to the state at about 482 acres—underscore ongoing wildfire risk and support maintaining the county’s burn ban.
"We haven't changed our opinion on keeping the burn ban in effect," Lynn, filling in for emergency management, told the court during a detailed incident briefing. Lynn described Sunday’s conditions as a red‑flag day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with relative humidity between 10% and 16%, sustained winds of 15–20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph. Officials said fuels remain dry and the forecast shows no significant rain in the near term.
Lynn said the Riley Loop/Walker Road fire started mid‑morning, jumped multiple roads and required coordinated response from seven local departments, the Texas Forest Service and an up‑country strike team. Crews worked through containment operations and back burns; the Forest Service later cut containment lines to secure the perimeter, though hot spots and smoke remain.
The report emphasized that automated hot‑spot alerts from the National Weather Service in Norman helped get units en route early, and that deputies and volunteer fire departments worked in close coordination with incident commanders. Lynn and other speakers commended recent interagency training and improved communications as key factors in response effectiveness.
The court took no immediate action to lift or change the burn ban. Commissioners were told the current burn‑ban renewal is set to appear on the March 27 agenda for further consideration.
Why this matters: Low humidity, high winds and widespread dry fuels increase the likelihood that small ignitions will spread rapidly and threaten structures, utilities and livestock. County officials said continuing the burn ban and encouraging public caution are interim measures while fuels remain hazardous.
