by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath said there is no imminent danger to Wellington residents over the massive amount of smoke that has blown into town this evening.

The smoke is a result of a wildfire that is burning out of control in Barber County which is two counties to the west in the Medicine Lodge area.

“The high west wind blew this smoke cloud into our area,” Heath said. “There is no danger to anyone in Wellington.”

He said he does not know of any fire burning in Sumner County as of 7:30 p.m.

The situation is much different in the Medicine Lodge area where a fire started in Comanche County this afternoon and has spilled into Barber to the west.

The fire has burned 72,000 acres of land, including 24,000 in Comanche. U.S. 160 is currently closed west of Medicine Lodge.

The community of Sun City was evacuated and moved to a Methodist Church in Medicine Lodge. The hospital in Medicine Lodge has been evacuated.

Heath said with the heavy smell and presence of smoke, unless you see flames, please do not notify 911.

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