Single Publication

Chickasaw National Recreation Area News Release
 
Release Date:  March 21, 2022 
Contact: Megan Wilkins (580) 618-8302, Megan_Wilkins@nps.gov 

Veterans Lake Fire partially contained  

Sulphur, Okla.– The Veterans Lake Fire started as a controlled burn (brush pile) on private land on Saturday evening, March 19, 2022. It escaped containment at approximately 6:30pm on Sunday, March 20, 2022 and spread quickly into Chickasaw National Recreation Area. As of 10:00am Monday 21, 2022, it is estimated at 3200 acres with 40% containment. Rain is forecast for the area throughout Monday and overnight into Tuesday, which is expected to greatly aid containment efforts. 

Areas evacuated for the fire include Rock Creek Campground in the park, and private residences on Claremore Avenue and Limbyard Drive southeast of the park. 

Closures are in effect for the park. Northwest and Southwest Perimeter Road is closed to traffic. Area closures include Rock Creek Campground, Bromide Hill, Bromide Pavilion and Picnic Area, Walnut Grove, Black Sulphur Springs, Veterans Lake, Veterans Lake Trail, Cats Eye Road, the Multi-Use Trail system, the Bison Pasture Loop Trail, the Bromide Hill Trail, the Rock Creek Campground Trail, and the Inkana Trail. Flower Park and its trails remain open.

National Park Service staff would like to thank those who also responded to the fire, including Sulphur Fire Department, Davis Fire Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Joy Volunteer Fire Department, Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Rock Prairie Volunteer Fire Department, Sulphur Police Department, and the Murray County Sheriffs Office.

For more information about Chickasaw National Recreation Area, visit www.nps.gov/chic or call the Travertine Nature Center at (580) 622-7234.

www.nps.gov