Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge slowly recovers after monstrous wildfire

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge buffalo herd — and the staff that oversees those treasured bison — aren't so fortunate. Nearly half of the refuge's 59,020 acres were burned by the Sept. 1 fire that eventually destroyed several Comanche County homes beyond its boundaries and threatened historic Meers.

By Oct. 11, when officials declared an end to the fire, 27,849 refuge acres were left charred and smoldering.

“In the long term, we'll be fine,” said Tony Booth, refuge manager. “In the short term, we'll just have to wait and see. There are just so many variables. In fact, we have different opinions even in our own office as to what the short-term impact of the fire will have on the refuge.”

The scenic refuge is again open to visitors, and Mother Nature has started the healing process. Greenery can already be seen sprouting from the charred and blackened carpet that covers the refuge terrain, but normalcy is nowhere in sight.

Oklahoma's hottest summer on record since 1895 means there isn't much moisture in the ground. The Oklahoma Climatological Survey is also predicting a relatively warm, dry winter. Recovery of vegetation could be slow.

“Our growing season is almost gone,” explained Ralph Godfrey, the fire management officer at the refuge. “So while it's certainly nice to see the greenery, that won't supply enough grazing before the first freeze.”

Measures are already being taken to ensure the survival of the refuge's largest wildlife populations, which also include whitetail deer, elk and the always popular herd of longhorns. Soon, most of the refuge's 250 longhorns will be moved to acreage at nearby Fort Sill for grazing.