- At least three people are dead following wildfires across Oklahoma on Friday, March 14. Officials reported battling more than 130 wildfires in the state, fueled by strong winds from a storm system that also caused deadly tornadoes.
- The wildfires, driven by winds up to 83 mph, destroyed at least 300 buildings and caused significant damage, including the loss of Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s farmhouse.
- Meteorologists warn that the fire risk remains elevated, with winds expected to pick up again starting Monday, March 17, posing continued danger to the affected areas.
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At least three people are dead following wildfires across Oklahoma Friday, March 14. Officials reported battling more than 130 wildfires in the state at one point.
What’s causing the wildfires?
The same storm system spawning deadly tornadoes that are moving across the United States produced winds faster than 60 mph. These strong winds caused the fires to spread rapidly.
In Oklahoma, Friday’s storm caused power lines to be knocked down, broke tree limbs and kicked up dust, causing a dust storm. In Frederick, Oklahoma, officials said winds got as fast as 83 mph.
“It was just a perfect storm,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said Saturday morning. During that press conference, he revealed he had lost his farmhouse in the wildfires.
Stitt had a “disaster emergency” in 12 counties. He said this allows those impacted by the fires to more easily get access to federal funds. The declaration also means a law preventing price gouging after disasters is now in effect for those counties.
What was damaged?
At least 300 buildings were destroyed by the fires.
Many who fled their homes to escape the fire returned to nothing after the fires destroyed everything. Jeremy Cook lived in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He told The Oklahoman, that when he returned, his house was burned down to the foundation.
“I toggle between laughing and crying because we had so much,” Cook told the publication.
About 50,000 people in Stillwater, were urged to evacuate from the area because of the wildfires.
What’s next?
Meteorologists said the danger is not over. They said while the winds had died down on Saturday, they are expected to pick back up starting Monday, March 17.
The National Weather Service warned the fire risk in the state was still elevated to near critical.
