Emergency responders from nearly two dozen fire departments along with National Guard helicopters are battling a Creek County wild fire that is continuing to grow.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol shut down the Turner Turnpike from Tulsa to Bristow because of the fire. The roadway was reopened at 5pm.Several homes have been lost to the blaze and it is expanding to near 75-thousand acres.
Thick smoke from the fire is visible for miles. The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Mannford for the victims. Creek County officials are telling all sight seers to stay away.
All State Highways in Creek County are closed along with the Turner Turnpike. If you must get between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol issued a statement. Here is the exact text:
***FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST***
THE TURNER TURNPIKE IS CLOSED AT THE TULSA ENTRANCE.. AS WELL AS ALL STATE
HIGHWAYS IN CREEK COUNTY FROM TULSA WESTWARD.
ALTERNATE ROUTES OF TRAVEL FROM TULSA TO OKLAHOMA CITY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1 - US412 (CIMMARON TURNPIKE) WEST TO I-35 AND THEN SOUTH ON I-35 TO
OKLAHOMA CITY
2 - US75 SOUTH TO I-40 WEST TO OKLAHOMA CITY.