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Okla. Church Burned as Wildfire Continues to Spread Out of Control

Harrison Bethel Baptist Church in Oklahoma City has burned to the ground as wildfires raged across the land Wednesday.

The wildfire, which began early Tuesday, has spread rapidly across several hundred acres due to extremely dry conditions and high winds.

Members of the church stood helplessly by as the 30-year-old church became engulfed in flames, Oklahoma’s KFOR reported.

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“I got here and saw the church was on fire and there was nothing I could do but watch it burn,” Pastor Johnny Moore told local media. He said his main concern was “how the congregation will receive what has happened.”

Among the tears of church members, Moore reassured them with his strong faith, “In a situation like this you are kind of numb, yet you have assurance that God is going to walk us through, that we are going to be all right.”

Many southwestern states are in the midst of wildfire season, which normally lasts from August to November. Flames have driven hundreds from their homes in Texas, Oklahoma, and California this week, and will continue to threaten residents in areas suffering from severe drought and extreme heat.

Up to 25 homes have been destroyed by wildfires so far this season. Fire expert Robert L. Rowe spoke with The Christian Post about ways to minimize the risks wildfires present to homeowners, listing an approved automatic fire sprinkler system as the most important tool for preventing property damage.

Rowe said that residents of wildfire-threatened areas should assess their community’s ability to respond in emergency situations by asking questions. Rowe advised: “Are roads leading to your property clearly marked? Are the roads wide enough to allow firefighting equipment to get through? Is your house visible from the roadside?”

Residents should also always be prepared for an emergency evacuation, which is often the only way to avoid danger.

“Know where to go and what to bring with you. You should plan several escape routes in case roads are blocked by wildfire,” said Rowe.

For more information about preventing damage by wildfires, view firewise.gvpi.net, or visit the FEMA website, where each state, county, and city has their own code and regulation.

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