photo by KATV's Justin Lewis
photo from Yell County Sheriff's Office
photo from viewer Alan Faulkner
photo from viewer Alan FaulknerOLA (KATV) - A wildfire off of Highway 7 that forced the entire town of Ola to evacuate was contained early Thursday morning.
The fire burned 1,400 acres, according to the Yell County Sheriff's Office. Firefighters continued working on the east side of the burned area because there was still a danger of high winds picking up burning embers and spreading the fire again.
Emergency workers and firefighters were left in the area to respond to any outbreaks.
No injuries were reported, but two structures were destroyed: a barn and a vacant home.
State Highway 10 and
State Highway 7 were reopened for traffic but emergency authorities asked that residents still stay away from the area on State Highway 10 and
Old Highway 10 from Tucker Road to Santa Fe Ridge Road.
The Yell County Sheriff's Office says about 1,000 people were evacuated. That mandatory evacuation order has been lifted. A cooling shelter is expected to open at the Danville First Baptist Church by 10:30am for
residents who may need it.
