Wildfires around Payne County burn more than 3,000 acres
According to the Oklahoma Forestry Service, more than 3,000 acres have burned in the fire that destroyed homes and structures southwest of Stillwater.
Stillwater Communications Director Dawn Dodson said Gov. Kevin Stitt was touring the affected areas this morning.
Stitt declared a state of emergency for 12 counties: Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills and Stephens.
Stillwater Emergency Management reports that evacuation areas have been initially re-assed but are only residents may return to mandatory evacuation areas and have been closed to the general public.
"Primary concerns for residents returning to their homes, include possible fires that may rekindle, nearby hotspots, open gas lines, down power lines, unstable structures (ex. chimneys) that could fall, and other unsafe conditions," SEMA wrote. "If these conditions are observed or an emergency response is needed, please call 911. Please exercise extreme caution in fire-affected areas."
SEMA also wrote that it could use the public's help in identifying damaged electric infrastructure, "such as poles that are broken or leaning, and lines down."
Those with information should contact Electric Utility at 405-372-3292.
Primrose Retirement Community, one of the first places evacuated, has said temporary placement has been secured for residents and it will let family know when it is safe to return.
Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater) wrote a message this morning thanking the first responders and expressing sympathy for those who were affected.
'I am grateful for the brave men and women at Stillwater Emergency Management, Stillwater Police Department and Stillwater Fire Department for evacuating folks safely and quickly during yesterday's fires,' Ranson said. 'Their efforts to get neighbors out of harm's way saved lives. Although several homes and neighborhoods were lost and severely damaged, relief efforts are underway by the State, City and County officials. I am praying for Stillwater and urge everyone to utilize the resources available to them. We must continue to look out for one another and support each other where we can. We will do whatever we can to heal from this devastation. We are Stillwater strong.'
Payne County is still at an elevated risk Saturday for fire danger, according to the National Weather Service in Norman.
Planes or other aircraft that might have assisted with the fires, were grounded due to high winds.
Wind
"Fire behavior and demands for protection of values at risk outpaced suppression capability of resources on the ground while the strength of the windstorm prohibited utilization of firefighting aircraft," the OFS report reads. "While the fire weather will be less intense (Saturday) there remains a Red Flag Warning in effect for part of Oklahoma, and new wildfire activity will continue to occur compounded by a tremendous workload containing the active fires. Incident commanders are encouraged to communicate needs and initial damage assessments to emergency managers facilitating timely communication developing statewide situation awareness.
"The fire environment will continue to present very challenging conditions through next week as very-high fire danger indices persist head of another period of fire-effective weather over very receptive fuels Monday through Wednesday and little or no optimism for meaningful rainfall in sight. Heavy initial attack and persistent large fire potential will remain in place this weekend with increasing likelihood of another period of significant fire occurrence (>5,000 acres) and wildfire outbreak potential early next week."
As of 5 a.m., the Oklahoma Department of Transportation reported that all highways and turnpikes affected by Friday's windstorm and grassfires are now open.
The Mid South Endurance Festival, which has drawn thousands of runners and cyclists to Stillwater, announced late Friday night that Saturday's events were canceled.
"We have been in constant communication with our city and county emergency services and we are announcing that Mid South 2025 is officially canceled," Founder Bobby Wintle wrote. "All efforts, support, and energy are being sent to fight this wildfire tragedy in our home that we love so much. Friends and family have lost their homes in Stillwater and the work to fight this fire is ongoing. Thank you for understanding. Our only hope is that the damage can be minimized and that everyone and their loved ones are safe tonight."
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson encouraged Oklahomans lean on each other for support.
'My deepest gratitude to all of the brave first responders who put their lives on the line every day to keep Oklahomans safe—thank you,' Munson said in a press release. 'As more information on the aftermath of yesterday's devastating fires is shared, I am praying for those who are without their homes and businesses and who are injured. Please remember you are not alone in this. I urge Oklahomans to look out for one another as we experience more weather today and continue to recover from yesterday. There are resources for Oklahomans who need them. Please take advantage of them. In times like these, it is important we stick together and help our neighbors.'
Residents impacted needing non-emergency services can call 211 for things related to the disaster or health and human services.
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