One Dead After Controlled Burn Causes Large Wildfire In Logan County

One person is dead after a controlled burn gets out of hand in Logan County, near the Guthrie area, Sunday.

Authorities have told News 9 that a 56-year-old man who did not want to leave his home during evacuations was found deceased inside his residence.  

The fire sparked up around 4:30 p.m. in the area east of Interstate 35 near Forest Hill Dr. and Air Depot. as part of a controlled burn. There was not a burn ban in effect.

The fire burned northeast from Seward Rd. to Prairie Grove Rd., east of I-35 and west of Douglas Blvd.

Hundreds of acres of land has burned at this time and crews say some homes are now being threatened. Several homes have already been completely destroyed in the fire. No injuries have been reported so far.

Oklahoma City, Guthrie and Edmond fire crews have all responded to battle the blaze. A high volume of cedar trees and strong wind gusts have made fighting the fire difficult for first responders.

Guthrie Fire Chief Eric Harlow says he can only confirm six occupied structures have burned. However, he says he believes many more homes and dozens of outbuildings have been destroyed. More crews from out of town are responding.

As of 9 p.m. the east, west and southern boundaries of the fire were under control, but still burning in some areas. The northern boundary of the fire is of most concern.

According to Harlow, the main hot spot of the fire was located between S. Midwest Blvd. and S. Douglas Blvd. and north of E. Prairie Grove Rd. The fire chief warns residents east of Guthrie, on or south of US 105, between I-35 and S. Westminster Blvd., to remain aware of the situation. 

Oklahoma City firefighters have sent one battalion chief, three brush pumper trucks and two tankers to help battle the wild fire. Edmond police officers also responded to the scene to help evacuate mobile homes that were in the path of the fire.

A command center has been established at 200 E. Seward Rd. The Oklahoma Red Cross has also responded to the scene with aid for both residents and fire crews.

The First Assembly of God church, located at 1900 S. Division St. in Guthrie, is opening up to residents who need shelter and water. The Oklahoma Red Cross is operating out of Community Church, as a shelter on the northwest side of I-35 and Seward Rd.

The Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner has deployed anti-fraud unit and consumer assistance teams to help residents affected by Sunday's wildfires. They will have a booth setup on Monday at the Red Cross's command post.

This fire is just one of multiple grass fires burning around the state.

Keep checking with News 9 and News9.com for more information.