Wildfires Rage Across Oklahoma and Kansas as Thousands Urged to Evacuate

By Blessing Nweke

Warm, dry and windy weather across Oklahoma has fueled multiple wildfires, prompting authorities to urge nearly one-third of residents in the small city of Woodward to flee.

Matt Lehenbauer, director of emergency management for Woodward, said the voluntary evacuation recommendation covers roughly 4,000 of the city’s nearly 12,000 residents. Mandatory evacuations are not permitted under state law. The wildfire, burning about 140 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, is nearing what Lehenbauer described as a “worst-case scenario,” though it has not yet reached the most densely populated areas.

Farther west, a blaze in Beaver County near the base of the Oklahoma Panhandle has scorched an estimated 15,000 acres, according to Oklahoma Forestry Services. Gov. Kevin Stitt said winds were gusting above 65 mph, accelerating the fire’s spread. He was briefed at the State Emergency Operations Center, which is tracking major fires, including one in Texas County.

The Beaver County fire crossed into Kansas on Tuesday, with firefighting efforts concentrated near the city of Englewood, according to the Kansas Forest Service. Gov. Laura Kelly had already issued an emergency proclamation warning of dangerous fire weather.

Officials said parts of Interstate 70 and U.S. 50 were closed as blowing dust reduced visibility. The National Weather Service warned that temperatures could soar up to 25 degrees above normal, with western Oklahoma reaching 85 degrees Wednesday.

Nationwide, the National Interagency Fire Center reported new fires in Texas, New Mexico and Missouri. More than 21 million people are under fire weather watches, with another 11 million facing red flag warnings. No injuries or structural damage were immediately confirmed.