Police Suspect Arson After Wildfires Plague Sand Springs

Firefighters in Sand Springs are trying to map out just how many acres have burned after wildfires tore through the area Friday.

3/16/2018 Related Story: Sand Springs Grass Fires Cause Casino Evacuation

The fires burned for hours causing parts of Highway 412 and Highway 97 to shut down.

Police said the fires could be linked to arson.

Police are looking for two men who they say may be responsible for starting several fires that led to a very stressful day for fire crews.

"If someone is doing this on purpose I mean they definitely need to be punished for what they have done," said Sand Springs Resident Scott Baldwin. 

Baldwin said he still can't believe the amount of damage done by the wildfire that spread from 129th to 177th west avenue all the way up to Osage County. 

"It's definitely caused a lot of damage, caused a lot of homeowners up on the other side of the hill to be out of their house for the night and having to move all the belongings so they definitely need to be penalized for what they've done," said Baldwin.  

Firefighters spent time mapping out just how many acres were burned. 

Baldwin said for the last 4 years he's hunted on some of the property that burned.

"We put a lot of time and effort and money into this land and to keep it nice and feed the wildlife and try to keep it up and Sand Springs Homes is nice enough to lease it to us and let us hunt it," he said.  

Some folks in nearby homes chose to evacuate during the fire but have since returned. 

Sand Springs police said two men on a motorcycle may have started the fires.

Baldwin said if this is arson, someone needs to be held responsible.

"What really goes through my mind is who set the fire you know if it’s someone who is setting these fires on purpose it can get somebody's life and do damage to other people's homes and cost people a lot of money," he said.  

If you have any information about who may have started the fires, you are asked to call Sand Springs police.