Daijiworld Media Network - Woodward
Woodward, Feb 18: Fast-moving wildfires, fuelled by unusually warm temperatures and powerful winds, swept across parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, prompting voluntary evacuations and emergency responses across multiple counties.
Matt Lehenbauer, Director of Emergency Management for Woodward, a city of nearly 12,000 residents, said a voluntary evacuation recommendation has been issued for roughly 4,000 people. He clarified that evacuations cannot be made mandatory under Oklahoma law.
The wildfire near Woodward, located about 140 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, is approaching what officials described as a “worst-case scenario.” However, authorities said the blaze has not yet reached the most densely populated parts of the city.
In Beaver County, at the base of the Oklahoma Panhandle, a separate wildfire has scorched an estimated 15,000 acres, according to Oklahoma Forestry Services. Visuals shared by the agency showed vast stretches of farmland engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
“The fire in Beaver County is continuing to spread,” Governor Kevin Stitt said in a statement, noting that wind gusts were exceeding 65 mph. He added that he was receiving updates at the State Emergency Operations Center, which is monitoring multiple large fires, including one in Texas County.
The blazes have spread rapidly across western and northwestern Oklahoma as temperatures climbed as much as 25 degrees above normal, accompanied by strong southwesterly winds exceeding 60 mph. Officials said it was not immediately clear whether any injuries had been reported or structures damaged.
The Beaver County wildfire crossed into Kansas on Tuesday, the Kansas Forest Service confirmed. Firefighting efforts are currently focused near the city of Englewood.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly had earlier issued an emergency proclamation warning of dangerous fire weather conditions through Thursday.
Kansas’ emergency operations centre was staffed with personnel from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Highway Patrol and the state Transportation Department. Authorities temporarily closed parts of Interstate 70 and U.S. 50 due to wind-driven dust severely reducing visibility.
The Oklahoma Agriculture Department said temperatures in western parts of the state could reach as high as 85 degrees on Wednesday. The National Weather Service office in Norman indicated that critical fire weather conditions may persist at least until Friday, although some relief is expected as winds shift and cooler air moves in.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, new wildfires have also broken out in Texas, New Mexico and Missouri as warm, dry air settled across the Central Plains following a recent storm system.
The National Weather Service reported that over 21 million people were under fire weather watches, while another 11 million were under red flag warnings signalling imminent critical fire conditions.
Authorities continue to urge residents in affected areas to remain alert and follow safety advisories as firefighters battle the spreading flames.