Numerous fires have kept the Alva Fire Department busy recently. And when they haven't been at fires, they're being called out to auto accidents and ambulance runs.

Tuesday, March 13, the department responded to a grass fire reported west of Alva. It was just south of U.S. Highway 64 and west of County Road 340. Alva Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Miller said the fire started during repairs to a swather on the Larry Wilcoxson property. Although precautions required by the burn ban were in place including fire extinguishers, Miller said the flames got away too quickly.

At 6:18 p.m. the fire was under control. A total of 13.39 acres was burned. Other area fire departments assisted at the scene.

Eric Scott

Greenleaf Fire Department assists at Tuesday's fire west of Alva. The fire was just south of U.S. Highway 64 and west of County Road 340.

On Wednesday, Alva responded to a call for a task force from Woods County to provide mutual aid to Harper County to the west. Miller said the county responds with one brush rig from each department in the county. Responding were Alva, Capron, Dacoma, Freedom, Greenleaf and Waynoka.

After the initial call at 1:12 p.m., Woods County was advised at 1:42 p.m. the fire had jumped the river and was now in Woods County.

Miller said the National Weather Service was predicting a wind change for Thursday morning so firefighters worked through the night to prepare. Thursday morning winds were southwesterly at 25-30 mph gusting up to 40 mph.

Alva firefighters worked from the initial call until 8:30 Thursday morning to contain the fire. Miller said multiple area units helped at the scene including Comanche County and Clark County, Kansas.

The governor's burn ban continues for 16 counties in western Oklahoma including Woods, Harper and Woodward counties. Other counties near Woods County (Alfalfa, Grant and Major counties) are under burn bans issued by county commissioners.