TIGER MOUNTAIN, OK — What started as a controlled burn turned into a fast-moving wildfire that scorched over 2,200 acres in the Tiger Mountain area southeast of Henryetta, sending thick smoke across parts of McIntosh County and prompting evacuations near Interstate 40.

Emergency crews worked around the clock this past weekend to battle the blaze, which McIntosh County Emergency Management Director Leslie Phillips said was fueled by dry conditions and wind. The fire departments on site prevented it from crossing I-40, which was the major obstacle that we were trying to keep from happening.

At one point, the fire was so close to the highway that Light Horse Police shut down sections of I-40. State troopers later reopened it after firefighters lined the shoulder with hoses and stopped the fire’s advance.

Nearly 100 structures, including homes and businesses, were under evacuation orders at the fire’s peak. Among them was the Tiger Mountain Church Camp, where caretaker Dwayne Snyder decided to stay as long as he could.

Multiple rural fire crews joined Tiger Mountain’s volunteer department, and McIntosh County Commissioners also deployed bulldozers to create firebreaks and stop the fire from spreading further. By the evening sunset, the flames had been pushed to the outskirts of a nearby RV park, and by Monday evening, officials declared the fire fully contained.

Fortunately, damage was minimal considering the scale of the fire. The only structure damage we found was a barn and a small outbuilding,This is what the fire squad train for. This is just part of the incident and unified command system. That’s what they do.

Officials are using the incident as a reminder of the dangers posed by outdoor burns.

As cleanup begins and residents return to their homes, Tiger Mountain’s close call is a powerful reminder of how quickly fire can spread — and the importance of readiness, coordination, and community response.

The Henryettan also drove out to check in with the Plainview Volunteer Fire Department, where firefighters confirmed there were a controlled burns in progress in their area. Fortunately, they assured us that all burns were fully supervised and posed no threat to nearby residents, with conditions remaining stable and under control.

Please, respect burn bans and red flag warnings as that is saving life and properties in many instances,