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Photo by Christian Hilliary
Comanche County fire crews fought several wildfires simultaneously Thursday night, prompting authorities to evacuate the area bounded by Northwest Wolf Road to Northwest Shroyer Road and from State Highways 58 to 115.
Forward progress on the wildfire at Wolf Road and SH 115 was halted, and crews worked through the night to contain the fire, Comanche County Emergency Management said in a news release.
Initial assessments indicated the fire covered about 2,000 acres, according to Emergency Management. Approximately 115 firefighters and 53 fire apparatus from 19 departments responded to the blaze.
The response included a task force from Caddo and Kiowa counties, Comanche County Lawton Emergency Management, Comanche County Memorial Hospital EMS and the Western District. Emergency Management said more information would be released later.
The Sterling fire at 240th and Cline Road covered about 80 acres. Approximately 27 firefighters from four departments, including a task force from Grady County, the Eastern Barn and the Central High Volunteer Fire Department, responded to that fire.
The fire at Baseline and Red Elk covered about 30 acres and required three departments to contain it.
An emergency shelter for evacuees was set up at Hilliary Communications, 22937 SH 58. Emergency management announced late Thursday night that firefighters had contained enough of the fires to allow residents to return home.
Emergency Management warned residents to be careful, as the area was still smoky. The department added that crews were continuing their work in the area and would monitor the fires throughout the night and into Friday morning.