How rural firefighters prepare for wildfire season in Oklahoma

As Oklahoma braces for wildfire season, firefighters across the state have been working around the clock to ensure the safety of residents and their property. News 9’s Haley Weger went behind the scenes with the Tuttle Fire Department to see how they’re preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Prepping for Wildfires

Firefighters at the Tuttle Fire Department are no strangers to long days of preparation ahead of wildfire season. Tuttle Volunteer Firefighter Lonnie Paxton said, “Just make sure everything’s working—make sure we have water, ice,” while reflecting on the extensive prep work required to tackle wildfires effectively.

“We do things every day that we don’t think about, but they could cause a fire today,” Paxton added, emphasizing the importance of diligence in wildfire season.

A "Perfect Storm" for Wildfires

Tuttle Fire Chief Will Smith described the current conditions as a "perfect storm" for raging wildfires, noting that “Any little spark will just take off.” With the heightened fire danger, the department has started preparing early to ensure they’re ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

"The full-timers have already been here today making sure all the water is full, making sure the trucks are here ready to roll out," Paxton said. Early preparation is vital, as the firefighters are often tasked with responding to several calls in rapid succession.

War Day: A New Response Strategy

In an effort to stay ahead of the fire danger, the Tuttle Fire Department has implemented a new strategy known as “War Day” or "Wildland Automatic Response Day." Chief Smith explained that instead of waiting for dispatch to send them out, firefighters immediately respond to any call in their area.

“Those minutes count—they’re crucial,” Smith said, emphasizing the urgency in responding quickly to prevent flames from spreading.

The Difficulty of Controlling Wildfires

Despite the best efforts of firefighters, controlling wildfires remains a significant challenge. Paxton acknowledged, “Sometimes it’s almost impossible,” and described the difficulty in controlling fast-moving flames.

“It’s very, very difficult to control, and that’s why we have to get on those things very, very fast to try and get in front of them,” he added.

Safety is a Top Priority

Both the safety of the public and firefighters is always top of mind during wildfire season. Chief Smith stressed the importance of following safety guidelines to minimize the risk of fires, saying, “Absolutely no burning, no fires, no open flames. If you’re pulling a trailer, make sure your chains aren’t dragging the road. If you’re a smoker, please don’t throw your ashes or butts outside of your vehicle.”

The Job of a Firefighter

At the end of the day, firefighters are focused on one goal: protecting lives and property. Paxton summed it up best, saying, “Our job is to go out there and try to protect the lives and property and work as hard as we can to make that happen.”

As wildfires continue to pose a threat across Oklahoma, the Tuttle Fire Department is committed to doing whatever it takes to keep Oklahomans safe.