Greg Walters, Nicut Volunteer Fire Department board member, said Wednesday that the department helped fight three fires in the Nicut area Tuesday afternoon. Of the three fires, only one was accidental, Walters said.
"It was a very busy day up here," he said.
Walters said the Uniontown Fire Department in Arkansas and the Crawford County Sheriff's Office asked the Nicut Fire Department to assist in a fire in Uniontown at about 12:30 p.m. He said one house and a barn were lost in the fire, but firefighters were able to save about 15 other houses that were in danger of being burned.
He said that fire was set by someone who put ashes from their fireplace outside. He said seven fire departments were at the scene fighting the fire, two of which were from Oklahoma, including the Maple Fire Department.
Walters said the second fire was in the Nicut community and included 10 acres of woodland area. He said firefighters were able to stop the fire before it reached a hay meadow. He said Lee Creek and Maple Fire Departments assisted in that fire.
Walters said they believe that fire was intentionally set by someone who was on foot. He said the fire originated underneath a bluff.
The third fire Tuesday was in the Short community and involved 10 acres of woodland area. Walters said they believe that fire was also intentionally set along a road and creek. He said there was evidence that a four-wheeler had been in the area not long before the fire began.
He said if the fire had not been contained, one house would have been in danger because the fire was traveling at a fast pace with flames reaching 15 to 20 feet high.
Walters said firefighters with Lee Creek and the Oklahoma forestry division assisted with extinguishing the fire.
He said there are no suspects in the two deliberately-set fires and there were no witnesses. He said arsonists don't seem to realize the dangers they put people in.
"It can kill somebody," he said.
Walters warns residents that anything can start a wildfire since fire potential is still very high and the area has received little rain.
He also noted that the burn ban is still in effect, which people need to abide by.
