Western OK – A rural home north of Elk City was destroyed by fire Thursday, one of two fires that kept western Oklahoma crews busy despite recent rainfall.

Elk City Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka said firefighters were dispatched at approximately 11:55 a.m. to a structure fire involving a double-wide home near the Beckham and Roger Mills county line.

The home was located along N1993 Road in a rural area north of Elk City. Chervenka said access to the property complicated the response because portions of the road are dead ends and the location must be approached from the north.

Elk City firefighters responded along with Hammon and Canute fire departments, which provided tanker support to help supply water to crews at the scene.

"When our crews arrived on scene, the fire was already through the roof and the structure was fully involved," Chervenka said.

Firefighters were able to knock down the blaze, but the home was considered a total loss.

Chervenka said the home was being rented by a young resident who had moved in only about a week earlier. The resident was not home when the fire started, but personal belongings inside the home were lost.

Neighbors spotted the fire and were able to rescue a dog from inside the home before conditions worsened. No injuries were reported.

The cause remains under investigation, but Chervenka said evidence currently points toward an electrical fire.

Because of the extensive damage, investigators had little physical evidence remaining inside the structure. However, video taken by people who initially approached the home helped firefighters identify where the fire apparently began.

Chervenka said the fire appears to have originated near a hot water heater, where witnesses reported seeing the heaviest smoke. Investigators believe the cause was most likely electrical.

Grass Fire Burns About 15 Acres South of Cheyenne

Later Thursday, firefighters responded to a separate grass fire south of Cheyenne.

Roger Mills County Emergency Management reported the fire at approximately 6:44 p.m. near N1910 and E990 roads. Cheyenne and Strong City fire departments responded along with mutual aid from Hammon and Berlin. Graders from Roger Mills County District 1 also assisted.

Crews quickly stopped the fire's forward progress after approximately 15 acres burned. Officials said the fire appeared to have started from a tree that continued smoldering after being struck by lightning during overnight storms.

All units were released from the scene by approximately 8:30 p.m.

Fire Danger Remains Despite Recent Rain

Chervenka cautioned residents against becoming complacent following this week's rainfall.

Elk City received less than half an inch of rain, while areas north of the city received around three-tenths of an inch, according to Chervenka.

"Our fields are still prime and ready to go," he said.

With temperatures forecast to return to around 100 degrees, Chervenka said vegetation could dry out rapidly.

He specifically cautioned against starting large controlled burns, including tree piles that could continue burning for several days.

"We're going to dry back out really fast," Chervenka said. "If we get grass started again and get any wind, we're going to be right back in the same situation."

Western Oklahoma has already experienced unusually dry conditions this year. Roger Mills County entered September following its ninth-driest August on record and second-driest January through August period in 132 years of records.

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