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ANADARKO, Okla. (KOCO) — Residents near Anadarko were evacuated Friday as a large wildfire west of the city threatened homes and properties, with firefighting efforts continuing into the night.
The fire, fueled by dry conditions and strong south winds, required air support and assistance from local ranchers. David Nault, a rancher and property owner, described the fire’s unpredictable movement.
“It was going both directions, going east, west, and then headed north too, with the South wind,” Nault said.
Nault, who has owned his land for about 30 years, opened gates for fire crews and used his feed truck to move his cattle to safety.
“Getting through the traffic and everything is the worst part; if you can get to the cattle, the cattle will come to the truck, and get them in a trap where you know they’re safe,” he said.
The fire’s epicenter was located north of Park Road on Caddo Road, where four homes were in its immediate path, according to city officials. The blaze later expanded, with properties on Square Top Road to the west of Caddo Road clearly seeing the flames.
“It’s always tough on you when it gets this dry, and one little spark is all it takes and off she goes,” Nault said.
Two of the homes in the fire’s path were saved, but city officials reported that four structures were lost. It remains unclear what types of buildings were destroyed. Multiple homes to the north of the fire were evacuated as winds pushed the flames northward.
Nault said his house was not in the fire’s path, but he had to act quickly to save some of his cattle.
“One of the boys that works for me, he helped me get a baby calf over here, and the cows had all drifted over to the west, and we got her in the pickup and we went on,” he said.
While the situation has improved, firefighting efforts continued Friday night.
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