Tahlequah Fire Dept

06/14/2026

Tahlequah firefighters responded to Littlefields at Spring Creek just outside of the Peggs community in northern Cherokee County Sunday morning after campers became stranded in fast-rising flood waters.

Law enforcement arriving first on scene reported 15 people were stranded in the flood waters while camping, and rescue boats were needed to safely reach the camp site an estimated quarter of a mile away from the nearest accessible county road.

Tahlequah firefighters arrived and joined Peggs, GRDA, Illinois River, and Locust Grove at the staging area. After boats were launched, campers were safely transported from their campsite to the staging area with no injuries.

06/14/2026

Lightning is believed to be the cause of a fire that began in the
chimney area of a home early Sunday morning in Tahlequah.

Tahlequah Fire Department responded to the home during a strong storm system that brought lightning and heavy rains to the area overnight Saturday into Sunday.

Engine 2, Engine 3, Ladder 2 and other apparatus responded and firefighters discovered the home filling with smoke upon arrival. Crews spent several hours extinguishing the source of the fire in the chimney area and conducting salvage and overhaul.

Investigators found evidence of arcing on the fire place insert and the natural gas line that supplied the fire place.

There were no injuries and crews were on scene until approximately 5:30 a.m.

06/12/2026

Tahlequah firefighters responded to a number of water rescues in the early morning hours Friday as a storm system caused flash flooding, stranded numerous vehicles and flooded several homes and businesses.

All of the rescue calls occurred in a short timeframe after midnight - within a window of approximately 30 minutes - within the city limits. Firefighters also took a rescue boat and joined other area first responders in Hulbert, where a driver became stranded in fast-rising water.

We are grateful there were no serious injuries in the calls we received during this storm, and greatly appreciate the many responders who assisted.

Tahlequah firefighters train often on water rescues so that we are better prepared to respond in circumstances such as this flash flooding event.

Photos of Hulbert water rescue provided by Hulbert Volunteer Fire Dept

06/10/2026

Tahlequah Fire Department crews on Wednesday morning discovered a working structure fire near Station 1 as personnel were responding to a separate structure fire occurring several miles outside of the city limits.

At approximately 2:45 a.m., Tahlequah FD received a 911 dispatch to respond to South Coos Thompson Road, where a large barn containing several hundred hay bales was fully engulfed in flames. The fire had also spread to two trucks and a tractor.

Crews from Station 1 and Station 2 both went enroute to the barn fire. As Engine 3 and Tanker responded from Station 1 in downtown Tahlequah, firefighters noticed heavy smoke in the area and soon after discovered a house fire on South Water Avenue.

All TFD shifts were asked to respond to assist with the two fires. Woodall and Hulbert departments assisted with the barn fire, and TFD turned that scene over to Hulbert firefighters at approximately 6 a.m.

There were no injuries at either fire and the causes of both fires is under investigation.

05/23/2026

05/16/2026

Thank you to Riverbend Floats for allowing our crews to access the river and train on rope rescue Saturday morning. With summer activities and more visitors to the Illinois River just around the corner, it was a great time to get together and train on some of the ways we may need to respond to water rescues.

05/12/2026

05/08/2026

Tahlequah Fire Department crews responded Thursday to an outside fire that spread through a wooded area, including bamboo, near Grand View Road. The fire had also spread to two storage buildings. Firefighters focused on the structures and cutting a line around the surrounding brush to help contain and then extinguish the fire.

05/07/2026

Big Shout Out to the TFD for grilling burgers for our staff and 5th grade students!!

05/04/2026

As May 4 dawns across Asia, Africa and Europe,
moving steadily across the world,
International Firefighters’ Day begins.

A day to pause.
A day to reflect.
A day to honour.

Wherever you are, you are part of this shared moment.

www.firefightersday.org