The Duncan Banner

Local News

Related Photos

  • Area firefighters work to battle one of many wildfires that erupted around Marlow Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, prompting evacuations in some rural neighborhoods. The fires were fueled by winds around 5 p.m. and this scene is from Blackburn Road, south of Marlow. Greg Crews/The Duncan Banner

    Blackburn Road wildfires force evacuations

  • A Stephens County Sheriff's deputy informs residents on Blackburn Road in Marlow of an approaching wildfire on Friday evening, Sept. 7, 2012. Residents were evacuated in two different rural neighborhoods — Caddo Road near 11th St., and also Blackburn Road. Greg Crews/The Duncan Banner

    Wildfire evacuations

Related Links

September 7, 2012

Firefighters concentrate on Blackburn Road

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

MARLOW — Update: 8:12 p.m. At 7:40 p.m. Stephens County Sheriff's Incident Command unit is established at Railroad and Blackburn Road, south of Marlow. Sheriff Wayne McKinney said Undersheriff John Smith is at that location in charge in the IC.

Marlow PD Chief Jimmy Williams also reported that "Fire at Caddo and McKinley Rd. is holding. Roads are reopen there. Railroad is closed for safety 'between Rose and county barn. Only grass trees and 1 outbuilding damaged thus far."

Update: 7:23 p.m. From Sports Editor Greg Crews - Marlow-Comanche football game is still set to go.

Additional news: Velma Fire Department quickly contained a fire at Midway. Crews are still at Blackburn and behind the old Walmart in Marlow dealing with the fires.

Update: 7:10 p.m. Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney confirmed that traffic south of Marlow on U.S. Highway 81 is being shut down because of a fire on Blackburn Road. He said there are more than one active fires going and structures have been in danger.

"It is Marlow's Incident Command and we're trying to support Marlow. That's what we're doing."

Other information indicates that Comanche Fire Department is heading to a fire near Loco.

Marlow Police Chief Jimmy Williams said earlier he did not expect tonight's football game between Marlow and Comanche to be affected. That was prior to the report of the main highway being closed to traffic.

Update: 6:47 p.m. Hearing that structures are in danger on Blackburn Road in Marlow.

Update: A fire has begun spreading quickly behind the old Walmart store in Marlow, on the east side of U.S. Highway 81. Firefighters are enroute to the area.

Marlow Police have Caddo and 11th westbound traffic shut down.

 

Evacuations are being conducted in a Marlow neighborhood because of a wildfire. Marlow Police Chief Jimmy Williams said at 6:13 p.m. that the evacuations are being done strictly for safety reasons because of the fire.

Officers and firefighters are telling people in the area from McKinley Road east to Ninth Street on Caddo. A Rush Springs tanker was also being told to evacuate. Several fire departments are in mutual assist on the fire.

Williams said firefighters have been battling the blaze throughout the day, but the sudden increase of winds about 5:30 kicked the fire into high speed.

"The wind shifted and kicked it back up real quick," he said. "It's moving to the south and east a bit."

The fire first broke out Thursday evening, but was contained. It rekindled mid-afternoon today.

We will continue to post updates through here and on our Facebook site.

Text Only
Local News
  • Commissioners discuss temporary fix to courthouse air conditioning issues

    The Board of Stephens County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Thursday to find a temporary solution for cooling off the courthouse, until a new system can be installed. Commissioners approved a temporary solution from Allied Services in Ardmore and will rent an air conditioning unit for $10,000 for the first month and $7,000 for the second month. The commissioners estimate it will take about two months for any company to get a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system in stock.

    May 24, 2013

  • DPS administrators discuss inclement weather procedures

    On Thursday, Duncan school administrators participated in a district-wide de-briefing to discuss how Monday’s reaction to a tornado threat went at each school. Superintendent Sherry Labyer said the response was overwhelmingly positive.
    Labyer said the school district will look to improve its procedures.

    May 24, 2013

  • Substitute teacher saves special education students from tornado

    When the F-5 tornado did its damage at Plaza Towers Elementary in Moore on Monday, and after the silence had passed, one little boy looked at his teacher and asked where his backpack was.
    “I don’t know, but we’ll look for it later,” Joy Hendrix said to  him.

    May 24, 2013

  • Velma-Alma Graduation A celebration of faith and unity
    There was a sense of celebration and appreciation throughout the J.M Carey Fieldhouse Thursday night in Velma. 
    With the graduation ceremony commencing for the Velma-Alma High School Class of 2013, came an assortment of emotions, all telling a story.
    In total 31 students walked the stage to receive their diplomas on the evening.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 5-24 ginger.jpg Velma native runs only to discover home annihilated

    Stuck in traffic trying to get to his home, Roger Graham decided he might as well park the car and run. A Moore resident, the accountant, dressed in casual business attire, didn’t think twice about the distance.
    “It was two miles,” he said. “I just took off.” His wife, Kalissa, a school teacher, was right behind him.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Duncan students to remain in school Tuesday, Wednesday
    When Duncan seniors cross the stage tonight, they won’t necessarily be done with high school.
    Duncan students will go to school Tuesday and Wednesday, following a three-day weekend for Memorial Day. DHS Assistant Principal Merry Stone said those two days are regular school days for students.

    May 24, 2013

  • Moore Tornado Showcases Advancements in Warnings

    Despite the utter devastation left in the wake of the massive tornado that tore through Moore, Okla. on Monday, the deadly storm, in many ways, helped showcase how far scientists have come in providing communities early tornado warning signs.

    May 23, 2013

  • ODOT efforts hampered by general public traffic

    Oklahoma Department of Transportation is requesting that motorists avoid I-35 through Moore, S. 19th Street because the ramp is closed and emergency and clean-up crews are hampering their efforts.

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-23 EMS Week.jpg National EMS Week shines spotlight on rescue workers

    The Air Evac helicopter was sitting on the helipad at Duncan Regional Hospital Wednesday, but not for emergency reasons.
    National EMS Week, May 19-25, is about connecting with the community and the Air Evac Lifeteam was doing just that.
    “Every base we have is doing something like this during the week,” said Heather Taylor, Air Evac program director. “We want to show appreciation to our community.”

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Restaurant rumors remain on the hot plate

    From IHOP and HomeTown Buffet to Chili’s and Olive Garden, restaurant whisperings have been running rampant in the community since the arrival of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.
    Although there are a few open spaces such as the old Golden Corral location and the soon-to-close Honda site, none of these rumors can be confirmed at this point according to Chris Deal, Duncan Chamber of Commerce president. No information on any of the businesses’ websites points to them opening a new location in the area.

    May 23, 2013