The Seminole Fire Department was joined by a large number of firefighters from surrounding counties as they battled a wildfire in an area southwest of Cromwell that began on Sunday.

The fire stretched east and north from the corner of EW1180 and NS3630. The heavily wooded area made reaching the flames a challenge for firefighters. Fortunately, there were few homes in the area to worry about. One vacant trailer was reportedly destroyed, while firefighters protected 10 homes that were potentially in the fire’s path.

According to Fire Chief Fielding Lucas, the fire was as much as one mile wide in some areas and traveled approximately two and a half miles burning approximately 500 acres. Firefighters were still tamping down hot spots on Monday.

The Seminole Fire Department was assisted in fighting the grass fire by task forces from Lincoln, Hughes, and Pottawatomie Counties, as well as the Oklahoma Forestry Services and BIA Wildland Fire Management, which provided a helicopter to drop water on the flames and hot spots. Dozers, hand tools and back burning were also used to create fire lines.

At one point on Sunday smoke from the fire caused concern for traffic on I-40. Local traffic was discouraged in the area due to extremely limited sight distance caused by the smoke.

In a social media post made Sunday afternoon, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department asked motorists to avoid the area. “The Sheriff’s office and several fire departments from Seminole County as well as all surrounding counties are currently working a very large grass fire that began in the area of EW1180 and NS3630 please avoid the area and let emergency crews work. We will be out on foot and crossing the roads that are covered in heavy smoke. It is dangerous enough and we don’t want to risk anyone being hurt by people who come out to see the fire and can’t see us,” the post stated.

The most recent fire situation report from the Oklahoma Forestry Services states that warm and dry conditions continue with the start of the fall fire season as elevated fire danger persists across most of Oklahoma. Creek County is the only county in the state that currently has a burn ban in place, with a five-day ban that started on September 23. Chances of rain are forecast beginning late Tuesday and continue through the rest of the week.

Wildfire preparedness tips

Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.

Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house. Learn more about the basics of defensible space on the Firewise website.

Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.

Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.

Wildfire can spread to tree tops. Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.

Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.

Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.

Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.

Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.

Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.