High winds and dry conditions fueled devastating wildfires across Oklahoma on Friday, burning nearly 170,000 acres and destroying hundreds of structures. Communities from Stillwater to Mannford were left in crisis, with many residents fleeing with only the clothes on their backs. Governor Kevin Stitt confirmed Saturday that over 400 homes and structures had been lost, including his own farmhouse north of Luther. A disaster emergency declaration for 12 counties has been issued to facilitate federal assistance.
High winds and dry conditions fueled devastating wildfires across Oklahoma on Friday, burning nearly 170,000 acres and destroying hundreds of structures. Communities from Stillwater to Mannford were left in crisis, with many residents fleeing with only the clothes on their backs. Governor Kevin Stitt confirmed Saturday that over 400 homes and structures had been lost, including his own farmhouse north of Luther. A disaster emergency declaration for 12 counties has been issued to facilitate federal assistance.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed four fatalities related to the fires or high winds. Those fatalities were reported in Lincoln, Garfield, Haskell and Pawnee counties.
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 142 injuries related to the wildfires were reported to state hospitals. Seven people suffered burns, 9 people suffered cuts or being pierced and 31 people suffered injuries due to falls.
Officials said 36 injuries were “transportation related,” 16 people were struck by something, one had a poisoning injury and 42 were considered “other fire related” injuries.
While Okmulgee County was spared from the worst destruction, emergency responders and volunteers worked tirelessly to battle the flames and support neighboring counties. According to Okmulgee County Emergency Management (OCEM) Director Jeffrey Moore, county crews responded to multiple fires, with 2,500 acres burned last week alone. Over the past two weeks, nearly 5,000 acres have been scorched.
“We do not qualify for an FMAG (Fire Management Assistance Grant) because we were able to contain our fires without evacuations,” Moore explained. “Thank God for that. No structures were lost, and we only had one injury from a helicopter crash.”
Moore praised the dedication of local volunteers and firefighters who worked long hours, even assisting neighboring McIntosh County, where a firefighter went missing while battling a grass fire in the Hanna area. The firefighter was later found safe and transported to the Salem-Ryal Fire Department.
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• Wednesday: Provided mutual aid to McIntosh County for a large wildfire in Hanna.
• Thursday: Two major grass fires - one at Jameson Ranch and another north of Henryetta. Additionally, a helicopter crash resulted in one injury; the victim was airlifted to Tulsa.
• Friday: Multiple grass fires burned approximately 2,000 acres. Responders managed to contain the flames, preventing structural damage.
• Saturday: OCEM staff attended cross-training with the American Red Cross to strengthen disaster response capabilities.
• Sunday: Wildland fires flared up in Twin Hills, Schulter, and Bryant. Firefighters worked through the day to contain all fires.
Despite the challenges, no mandatory evacuations were issued in Okmulgee County. However, on Monday, an evacuation order was placed for Tiger Mountain Road in McIntosh County as fires continued to spread in the area, briefly shutting down sections of I-40.
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