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Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Extreme' warnings issued as threat of brush fires looms for millions in central US this week
Forecasters are warning millions of Americans across the High Plains to prepare for 'extremely' critical fire weather. Red flag warnings were issued in multiple states Monday, where temperatures were expected to be in the 70s and 80s and conditions were forecast to be very dry. 'Dry and breezy weather may lead to the initiation and spread of wildfires. Stay weather aware and avoid activities that can lead to wildfires!' the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth, Texas, advised. The High Plains states affected by the extreme fire risk include Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It also includes cities such as Dallas and Oklahoma City. Temperatures will rise to between 15 and 25 degrees above average over parts of the Central Plains this week during the threat. In Colorado, wind speeds could range from 25 to 30mph. 'Strong winds and dry conditions will lead to continued fire danger across the area,' forecasters in Pueblo said. Wind gusts there were anticipated to increase to 65mph. Residents of these areas should avoid outdoor burning and be mindful of anything that could possibly spark fires, such as dragging chains and mowing. Windy weather has already knocked out power for nearly 6,800 customers in Colorado and over 9,300 in Texas, according to outage tracker The threat was expected to extend into Tuesday and comes after wildfires and dust storms in the High Plains resulted in the deaths of 16 people last weekend. In Oklahoma, four people were killed and more than 400 homes were destroyed following more than 130 fires and hurricane-force winds. One man died saving his son from the fires, according to News on 6. Crews reportedly had difficulty containing the fires and rapidly became overwhelmed. 'Nobody has enough resources to fight fires when the wind is blowing 70 mph,' Stillwater Fire Chief Terry Essary said. 'It's an insurmountable task.' Even as fire weather was projected to linger, snow and gusty winds will develop over the Plains by Tuesday night. Some showers, hail, and thunderstorms are also forecast. Grand Junction, Colorado, may get up to one foot of snow. The risk of severe weather will broaden on Wednesday, AccuWeather says, extending from the Great Lakes to the With reporting from The Associated Press
The Independent
17-03-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
‘Extreme' warnings issued as threat of brush fires looms for millions in central US this week
Forecasters are warning millions of Americans across the High Plains to prepare for 'extremely' critical fire weather. Red flag warnings were issued in multiple states Monday, where temperatures were expected to be in the 70s and 80s and conditions were forecast to be very dry. 'Dry and breezy weather may lead to the initiation and spread of wildfires. Stay weather aware and avoid activities that can lead to wildfires!' the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth, Texas, advised. The High Plains states affected by the extreme fire risk include Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. It also includes cities such as Dallas and Oklahoma City. Temperatures will rise to between 15 and 25 degrees above average over parts of the Central Plains this week during the threat. In Colorado, wind speeds could range from 25 to 30mph. 'Strong winds and dry conditions will lead to continued fire danger across the area,' forecasters in Pueblo said. Wind gusts there were anticipated to increase to 65mph. Residents of these areas should avoid outdoor burning and be mindful of anything that could possibly spark fires, such as dragging chains and mowing. Windy weather has already knocked out power for nearly 6,800 customers in Colorado and over 9,300 in Texas, according to outage tracker The threat was expected to extend into Tuesday and comes after wildfires and dust storms in the High Plains resulted in the deaths of 16 people last weekend. In Oklahoma, four people were killed and more than 400 homes were destroyed following more than 130 fires and hurricane-force winds. One man died saving his son from the fires, according to News on 6. Crews reportedly had difficulty containing the fires and rapidly became overwhelmed. 'Nobody has enough resources to fight fires when the wind is blowing 70 mph,' Stillwater Fire Chief Terry Essary said. 'It's an insurmountable task.' Even as fire weather was projected to linger, snow and gusty winds will develop over the Plains by Tuesday night. Some showers, hail, and thunderstorms are also forecast. Grand Junction, Colorado, may get up to one foot of snow.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fire danger continues for Oklahoma after deadly wildfires ravage state
Oklahoma is under alert for fire danger on Monday after being devastated by deadly blazes over the weekend, and amid a continued fire threat in the Plains. More than 50 million Americans are under alert for fire weather conditions on Monday. Red flag warnings and fire weather watches have been issued in more than a dozen states, from Texas and Oklahoma up to the Dakotas as well as Florida, due to the chance for high winds and low humidity. Parts of Oklahoma, as well as Kansas, New Mexico and Texas, face a critical threat of fire danger, with gusts up to 45 mph possible along with relative humidity down to 9% in places. The continued fire threat comes after four people were killed and over 140 injured in Oklahoma due to high winds and raging wildfires that ignited on Friday, officials said. More than 130 fires were reported in 44 counties, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said Friday. More than 400 homes and structures have been destroyed in the fires, the agency said. That includes Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's ranch near Luther; the governor said his farmhouse experienced a "total loss" in Friday's fires. "We'll be rebuilding with all of Oklahoma," he said in a video posted to social media over the weekend. MORE: 4 dead and 142 injured in Oklahoma wildfires; more than 400 homes damaged statewide Stillwater Fire Chief Terry Essary told ABC News on Monday that 75 structures were lost in his area alone after multiple wildfires broke out on Friday amid high winds that made for challenging conditions. "The wind was blowing so hard," Essary said. "It was a very helpless feeling, but you just keep at it. You do what you can, you save what you can, and you keep moving on to the next and helping as many people as possible." A state of emergency remained in effect on Sunday for 12 Oklahoma counties due to the wildfires and fire weather conditions, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said. The fire threat continues in Oklahoma and increases in West Texas on Tuesday, with an extreme critical risk for weather conditions. Winds could gust 60 to 75 mph with relative humidity down to 7% in places. Any fires that develop in these conditions can spread easily and will be very difficult to control. ABC News' Mireya Villarreal and James Scholz contributed to this report. Fire danger continues for Oklahoma after deadly wildfires ravage state originally appeared on
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Dozens of homes destroyed in Stillwater wildfires
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) — Multiple wildfires destroyed parts of Stillwater, causing major devastation. The mayor declared a state of emergency for the city on Saturday. City leaders believe up to 50 structures are destroyed, but that number could change as they observe the damage. Oklahoma governor declares an emergency declaration after widespread wildfire damage 'I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and I've always been cautious and understanding of the destruction of tornadoes and flash floods. But I never would have expected the fire could have devastated and done this damage to so many houses,' said Jacob Freeman, who lives in the Pecan Hill neighborhood. The community in Stillwater is heartbroken over the loss of many homes from wildfires that spread fast throughout parts of the city. 'Your community on fire is a very unsettling thing and it's something a fire chief never wants to experience,' said Terry Essary, the Chief for the Stillwater Fire Department. The fires forced evacuations as firefighters worked hard to put them out. 'I get closer and I'm like, oh my gosh, you need to leave, like now. And so he panics, grabs all the animals with the cat, too, and all the court documents and gets out,' said Jo Caldwell, who also lives in the Pecan Hill Neighborhood. However, as people started to leave, the fear of the unknown sunk in. Dry conditions, powerful winds brought a wildfire outbreak to parts of Oklahoma 'It was really scary overnight, not really knowing what was happening,' said Caldwell. 'Trying to mentally plan on if you're even coming back to anything,' said Freeman. The fires left an eerie sight in the neighborhood and for many Oklahomans, the physical memory of their home is now left only in their heart. As the community prepares for what's next, the city stands on being 'Stillwater Strong.' 'We're strong because of the community cohesion and these groups that come together when… when we need to assist and support each other,' said Will Joyce, Mayor of Stillwater. There is a donation link on the United Way Payne County page if you'd like to help those affected by the fires. Fire crews said they're still monitoring hot spots in case any new fires ignite. Stillwater police will also be adding patrols to impacted areas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
