Blaine County Burns On, Neighbors Step In To Help

Fires burning in Blaine County have consumed nearly 10,000 acres, according to Blaine County fire managers. The path of the blaze extends from the 0720 County Road several miles west of Hitchcock, about nine miles north to the Southard area.

Neighbors are coming together to help each other get property out of the way.

“A lot of awesome neighbors that volunteered to come and help us move because we were just afraid, the fires just kept popping back up,” said farmer Leigh Bisel.

Bisel’s family had to move their cows away from the blaze.

“We just started thinking of who could help and calling and of course it doesn’t take much around here,” she said.

The Blaine County fire continues keeping everyone guessing.

“Then, all of a sudden we’re seeing smoke again. So, its just the wind picks up, and the embers are just there, and it just reignites,” Bisel said.

The fire is burning close to 10,000 acres and covering a nine mile swath of Blaine County, from Hitchcock north to Southard.

Burned powes lines are causing outages in Okeene and Southard.

The Air National Guard flew two helicopters to the burn area.

To some, it might not look like much in Blaine County.

“Lots of cedars, lots of grass, lots of stuff out here in the hills,” Bisel said.

But to the farmers and ranchers out here, it means a whole lot.

“Lots of people have cattle and farms. We’re not the city, we’re not a big town, but we have things that matter out here too,” she said.

Over 100 volunteer firefighters now working the blaze.

“Thank you, thank you for everybody who helped. I’m gonna start crying so...can’t thank them enough,” she said.