Our Alva photographer took the following photo of the updated location of the house fire a few weeks ago at 7th & Church Street in Alva, Oklahoma, with the burning of the old two-story frame house of Brandt's home. The demolition and cleanup of the burned home has progressed quickly, leaving only a vacant lot with only trees, shrubs, driveway and freshly worked ground.
We heard there were some wildfires around the Dewey county area and Lincoln counties in Oklahoma. We found the following link over at YouTube.com concerning the wildfire over in Lincoln county, dated June 24, 2011.
According to the Enid News online, there was another wildfire near Medicine Park that destroyed 13 homes, was contained Saturday, allowing residents to return to their homes. Medicine Park is located at the entrance to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, 80 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. The fire started Thursday afternoon on the Fort Sill US Army post with high winds and tinder dry conditions fueling the blaze. It burned approximately 5,500 acres. 1,500 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
Where was the fire in Dewey county? How dry is it in Oklahoma? Is it as dry as it is in New Mexico and Arizona? What about those fires at Las Conchas and Las Alamos, New Mexico?
It sounds like it has been really heating up in northwest Oklahoma with temperatures near the 108F mark. WHEW! With the Oklahoma humidity, wind and heat . . . that is HOT!
Hope next week you all observe the fire danger conditions and have a safe 3rd and 4th of July fireworks celebrations! AND . . . for those attending the 1964-66 Alva High Goldbug Reunion, Friday, July 1 thru July 2, 2011, in Oklahoma City at Lansbrook Park, please get some photos to share with those who can not make it this year. NW Okie will be thinking of her Alva High Classmates of '66 as she celebrates her independence in the coolness of the Southwest Colorado Rockies! We would love to see some photos of the reunion goers, though!