Cherokee Nation Rural Fire Donation

February 14, 2008 - High winds and dry conditions in Green Country today and we're seeing more brush fires.

Firefighters had to put out a 40-acre fire near Broken Arrow earlier today and 41st Street was briefly shut down because of the smoke.

Another fire happened near Harvard and the Broken Arrow Expressway. Firefighters say this one could've possibly started when someone flicked their cigarette out the window.

The good news though for rural fire departments is that the Cherokee Nation, just today, gave $300,000 to 115 firehouses. Firefighters say the timing couldn't have been any better.

Hours after a brush fire was put out in Sapulpa today, smoke still rises from the charred grass.

“The wind just picked it up and took it everywhere.” Eric Hawkinson was doing work at a house when the blaze ignited. “Saw the smoke, and the smoke filled all the sky… that happened within seconds.”

And within minutes, Eric says the Sapulpa Fire Department arrived, “then when they saw that it jumped the road, they immediately went over there and took care of that guys yard.”

As quickly as it started, firefighters had it out.

Today, the Cherokee Nation presented a check for $300,000 to help the rural fire houses.

Many of these firefighters are volunteers working at stations with very little cash flow.

“Many of our guys drive their own vehicles, donate their own time to work on trucks, to do different projects, they go to classes, they donate a lot of time for that”, said Chief Denus Benton with the Catoosa Fire Department.

The Catoosa station got about $2,400 dollars to buy more protective gear for two firefighters. “The most important thing is to keep our firefighters safe, they’re out here to protect the public.”

Firefighters say you have to be extremely careful in these conditions not to cause a fire. First, don't throw cigarettes outside. Also, they suggest parking in a driveway or on the street, not over dry brush. And make sure your lawn is debris free by mowing your lawn and raking your leaves frequently.

Governor Brad Henry is asking Green Country not to burn any brush when winds are more than 15-miles per hour.