Actions

Fallin issues state of emergency for wildfires

Posted at 11:42 AM, Apr 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-13 13:58:11-04

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) -- The Latest on wildfires that have burned thousands of acres in northwestern Oklahoma (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Gov. Mary Fallin has issued a state of emergency due to wildfires and drought conditions in the state.

The state of emergency was issued for 52 counties, including Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cimarron, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, Marshall, McClain, Murray, Noble, Oklahoma, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods and Woodward.

10:25 a.m.

A turkey hunter is badly burned but alive after becoming trapped overnight by a wildfire in northwestern Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Forestry Services spokeswoman Michelle Finch-Walker says the hunter was found Friday morning and taken to a burn center in serious condition.

Finch-Walker says the blaze in Dewey County has burned about 82,000 acres (331 sq. kilometers).

Woodward County Emergency Management Director Matt Lehenbaur says a separate fire near Woodward has burned more than 120,000 acres (485 sq. kilometers) and forced the evacuation of about 450 people from their homes, but no injuries are reported.

The National Weather Service says dangerous fire weather conditions are expected in much of western Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Panhandle through Saturday, with low humidity and strong winds of 20-30 mph (32-48 kph) and gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph).

------

6:46 a.m.

A wildfire in northwestern Oklahoma has burned more than 120,000 acres (485 sq. kilometers) and forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes.

Woodward County Emergency Management Director Matt Lehenbaur said Friday that the fire has destroyed several homes near Woodward, about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northeast of Oklahoma City.

He says no injuries have been reported.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reports another fire has burned more than 21,000 acres (85 sq. kilometers) near the town of Leedey, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Woodward.

The National Weather Service says dangerous fire weather conditions are expected in much of western Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Panhandle through Saturday, with low humidity and strong winds of 20-30 mph (32-48 kph) and gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph).

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.

Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.

Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook