Oklahoma Wildfire Blackens 160 Acres

March 2, 2009
Flames came within 100 feet of one home before firefighters were able to stop them.

SHAWNEE, Okla. --

Firefighters were tracking hot spots late Saturday after a brush fire scorched more than 160 acres and threatened homes in Shawnee.

Flames came within 100 feet of one home before firefighters were able to stop them.

Nearly 40 firefighters from five different departments were called to the scene. Their jobs were made more difficult by 35 mph winds that fueled the flames.

Firefighters said at least eight homes were in the fire's path.

"They're unstoppable sometimes because you can't outrun a fire when you have a 35 mph wind," said Shawnee Fire Chief Curt Lamastus. "We were very fortunate the guys got in front of this just in time before it got too far ahead of us."

One vacant trailer was burned in the fire.

Lamastus said many of the fires his crews have fought in the past few weeks have been deliberately set. Investigators have not yet determined whether Saturday's fire was also arson.

Copyright 2009 by koco.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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