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Ignition of a 67 acre resource management planned fire occurred March 6, 2003 at 5:30 pm on the southeast area of Washita Battlefield National Historic Site, with final ignition within the prescription burn stopping at 7:15 pm. Use of prescribed fire is intended to restore and maintain the grassland/prairie habitat in a healthy condition. “This was the first in a sequence of burns that is to occur on a 2-year rotational basis during spring and winter intervals to promote native warm and cool season grasses” stated Washita Battlefield Superintendent Wendy Lauritzen.
The operation was an interagency effort with firefighters from both the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. Firefighters and engine crews were provided by Black Kettle #1 (Clinton & Elk City, OK), Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (Fritch, TX), Bandelier National Monument (Los Alamos, NM), and Black Kettle National Grassland and Washita Battlefield National Historical Park (Cheyenne, OK). There were 29 people assigned to the fire operation which included 4 engines, 4 ATVs, and water tender. Burn bosses were Mike Davin of Lake Meredith NRA and Josh Erickson of Bandelier NM. Nearly a half-mile of waterline was established along the perimeter of the ignition site.
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