Summary:
- Patrons at Native Lights Casino and 7 Clans First Council Casino Hotel in Newkirk have been forced to evacuate.
- The temporary evacuation was imposed because of the threat of a wildfire.
- Firefighters stopped the wildfire from reaching the venues.
On Tuesday evening, tribal gaming properties based in Oklahoma, 7 Clans First Council Casino Hotel and Native Lights Casino, were asked to evacuate all patrons and personnel.
The request came from local officials who were afraid that the high winds and the spreading flames from an active wildfire were going to reach the two properties.
The wildfire turned into a threat after a cold front reached the area in the afternoon and temperatures fell approximately 50 degrees while winds from the north created the conditions for a big wildfire.
The Casinos Received Emergency Alerts
As the wildfire was spreading next to the Kansas border, the gambling venues received emergency alerts asking them to leave the premises.
According to the warning issued by Kay County Emergency Management, the initial path of the wildfire was heading straight toward the two tribal casinos owned and operated by the Otoe-Missouria Development Authority and the Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma.
At around 8:30 p.m., the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management predicted the fire would reach Kay County, as flames and smoke were indicating potential poor visibility and traffic coming to a halt.
Some Chilocco residents in an area next to the casinos received the same evacuation orders.
Newkirk residents were also encouraged to leave their neighborhoods and relocate to eastern locations or else they would risk getting trapped or injured.
Nonetheless, before 9 p.m., Newkirk Fire Chief Adam Longcrie decided to suspend the evacuation order for Newkirk.
Firefighters Stopped the Wildfire From Reaching the Casinos
At 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, Kay County Emergency Management announced that Kansas and Oklahoma firefighters managed to courageously stop the wildfire from reaching the casinos.
At the moment, the crews continue to fight “high wind and blowing embers which could still cause additional fires that could grow”, according to local emergency officials.
They added the two casinos were no longer under threat.
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