Wildfires Continue to Burn Across Oklahoma, Tulsa County Under Burn Ban
– Firefighters across Oklahoma are working to contain numerous wildfires that have scorched over 300,000 acres, prompting evacuations and a state of emergency in several counties. A burn ban is now in effect for Tulsa County, lasting at least the next 12 days, as strong winds and dry air continue to fuel the blazes.
As of Thursday night, crews were closely monitoring hotspots near Ochelata, concerned about potential spread due to heavy winds. Approximately 1200 acres have burned in that area alone, with 19 different fire crews responding since 2 p.m. On Thursday.
According to Washington County Emergency Management, no buildings or homes have been damaged by the fires thus far. However, the situation remains volatile, with forecasters warning that any new fires could spread rapidly.
The fires initially impacted Beaver, Texas, and Woodward counties, prompting Gov. Kevin Stitt to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday. Harper County was added to the emergency declaration on Thursday, allowing state agencies to coordinate resources and support local response efforts.
A small airplane was dispatched from Texas to assist in firefighting efforts, dropping fire retardant and water on the blazes. Bartlesville Fire Chief H.C. Call emphasized the value of this support, stating, “In territory like this, where we have rough terrain, and we can’t get trucks into it, it really helps.”
Chief Call highlighted the challenging conditions, explaining, “Anytime we have high winds and low humidity, it’s going to be an issue. It’s—we’re prepared for it. It’s just this time of year, with that, especially with the warmer temperatures and the high winds and low humidity, it is a bad situation.”
A Red Flag Warning is currently in effect for 70 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, indicating a high risk of fire. Fire spread rates could exceed 200 feet per minute under the strong winds. Smoke from the fires has also reduced air quality in parts of northwestern Oklahoma.
Firefighters plan to remain in the Ochelata area for several hours to ensure the hotspots do not flare up. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and any activities that could potentially create sparks as crews continue their work.
The National Interagency Fire Center provides maps and information on wildland fire activity across the country, offering resources for tracking current fires and exploring historical data.
