Family Camping Trip Starts Grass Fire At Lake Stanley Draper

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A family camp fire at Lake Stanley Draper is to blame for a grass fire that got out of control in southeast Oklahoma City.

"It's scary. I'm still shaking from it," said Tarra Barrett. "We just lit a little fire and we were putting it out and the next thing we know a leaf blew over and caught the whole forest on fire."

Barrett said they tried putting it out with sand but by then it was already too late.

Fortunately a short time later firefighters were able to contain the grass fire.

Batallion Fire Chief Chris Goodwin with the Oklahoma City Fire Department said the grassfire burned a little more than 60 acres.

When speaking about the extreme drought Oklahoma City and surrounding areas are in Goodwin said, "It's pretty dry, I can't remember a time it was like this."

He added, "People need to remember not to burn...even the smallest fire can spark a [giant] blaze."

While firefighters worked hard to contain the grassfire Oklahoma City police closed off a good portion of the west side of the lake.

For a while firefighters and police were concerned the fire may have jumped Douglas Road where homes and farms with horses are located, but firefighters were able to contain the fire before it crossed the road.

The Barretts had their names taken down by an Oklahoma City police officer and could face a fine.