News Release

Chickasaw National Recreation Area prescribed fire update

A wildland firefighter uses a drip torch to ignite vegetation along Cooper Memorial Road.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: February 12, 2024

Contact: Public Affairs, 580-622-7234

Sulphur, Okla.– Last week, National Park Service fire crews successfully conducted two prescribed fires within Chickasaw National Recreation Area, approximately five miles southwest of Sulphur. The Arbuckle Dam prescribed fire was completed on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. The Point prescribed fire unit was partially treated on Friday, February 9, 2024.

Crews successfully treated approximately 15 acres on Arbuckle Dam to prevent woody vegetation growth on the face of the dam. Approximately 930 acres of NPS-managed land was originally planned for treatment at The Point, but due to weather conditions on Wednesday, February 7 and Thursday, February 8, the fire was delayed. Fire managers carefully plan prescribed fires and identify specific parameters that must be met to begin ignitions, including minimum and maximum temperatures, air and fuel moisture, and wind speed. On Wednesday and Thursday, forecasted winds were too high to proceed with the fire. Crews used the time to remove undesired species manually. 

Conditions improved on Friday and fire managers proceeded with treating approximately 200 acres at The Point. Low intensity fire was used to reduce grass, vegetation, and eastern red cedar saplings in and around The Point Campground. One objective of the prescribed fire was to protect adjacent private property and park facilities from the threat of high severity wildfires. To meet that objective, fire managers focused efforts on the northernmost section of the unit between the park boundary and The Point Campground in addition to treating the campground itself.

Crews also treated areas along park roads to create stronger fire breaks in advance of completing the remaining acres in the unit later this spring when conditions are favorable. As plans for completing The Point prescribed fire are finalized, further information will be posted at www.nps.gov/chic and on Facebook and X at @ChickasawNPS.

In addition to protecting adjacent private property and park facilities, prescribed fire also recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem. Many native plants, particularly prairie species, are fire-adapted and benefit from periodic burning.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area staff would like to thank those who assisted with both prescribed fires, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area fire staff, Rocky Mountain National Park’s Alpine Hotshots, and Sulphur Fire Department.

Although fire risk has been reduced in this portion of the recreation area, visitors are reminded that campfires or cooking fires are only allowed in designated areas.

For more information about Chickasaw National Recreation Area, visit www.nps.gov/chic or call the Travertine Nature Center at [phone]. 

About the National Park Service

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 428 National Parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.