Wildfires blaze in NW Oklahoma, fire weather conditions continue statewide
Two wildfires continue to burn in northwestern Oklahoma, though their intensity has moderated some, the Oklahoma Forestry Services report. The red flag warning over the state has expired.
Across the border, at least five growing wildfires were threatening communities in the Texas Panhandle as of early Wednesday, but their impact on Oklahoma has reduced overnight.
Only one Texas fire has crossed into northwestern Oklahoma, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which closed highways and promoted evacuations in at least one small town Tuesday night. The blaze remained 0% contained as of Wednesday morning, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer, but its intensity has reduced some.
Texas livestock organization seeks donations amid wildfires
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is seeking donations to the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund for victims of the ongoing wildfires in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma.
“A fire is one of the most tragic events that can impact ranches, and a natural disaster such as the widespread wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma can result in financial hardships and deep impacts to our ranching communities,” TSCRA President Arthur Uhl said in a press release.
The TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund is a nonprofit that supports cattle raisers in Texas and Oklahoma who are natural disaster victims, according to the release. For information about how to donate, visit visit tscra.org/disaster-relief-fund/ or contact TSCRA at 800-242-7820.
Oklahoma fire weather outlook
The National Weather Service in Norman reports that conditions conducive to wildfires will continue this week, though temperatures have dropped for a few days.
“The fire season is just getting started, with dry, windy, and warm conditions expected again this weekend,” NWS Norman wrote on X.
Fires affecting northwest Oklahoma Wednesday, as of 6 a.m.:
Smokehouse Creek Fire: 0% contained, 300,000 acres
Catesby Fire: 0% contained, 76,800 acres
Slapout Fire: 0% contained, 30,000 acres
Wildfires affecting other areas of Oklahoma Wednesday, as of 6 a.m.:
Cell Fire in Carter County: unknown percent contained, affected acres unknown
Hick’s Branch Fire in Cherokee County: 45% contained, 575 acres
Texas fires prompt state of disaster in Amarillo
A local state of disaster has been declared for the Texas Panhandle city of Amarillo, Texas, and Potter and Randall counties as a raging wildfire advances toward the area, according to the Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management. Amarillo is in Potter County, and Randall County is adjacent, to the south.
So far, more than 370,000 acres have been burned by the fires, according to the forest service.
What’s a ‘red flag warning’? What’s a ‘fire weather watch’?
According to NWS Norman, a “red flag warning” is issued when the forecast is likely to have conditions favorable for the ignition and spread of wildfires. The warnings don’t mean a wildfire is ongoing, but that conditions are highly favorable.
A “fire weather watch” is issued when upcoming weather conditions could result in wildland fire occurrence or extreme fire behavior. It means fire weather conditions are possible, but not imminent or occurring.
