Oklahoma
Before and after aerial imagery reveals scope of deadly Oklahoma wildfires
The devastating wildfires that raged across Oklahoma on Friday claimed Governor Kevin Stitt’s ranch near Luther, he revealed in a social media post on Saturday.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Aerial imagery is revealing the extent of destruction caused by deadly wildfires that have ravaged Oklahoma, damaging at least 400 homes statewide and resulting in four confirmed fatalities.
Nearmap, an aerial imagery and geospatial data company, recently released a series of before-and-after images that show the catastrophic damage.
The imagery highlighted scorched vegetation and destroyed structures, with both residential homes and business buildings that were reduced to rubble.
Fire weather alerts were issued ahead of the firestorm as gusty winds, low humidity and dry conditions combined to ignite hundreds of wildfires across the Southern Plains on Friday.
The region was impacted by a powerful storm system that not only helped spark wildfires but also brought blizzard conditions to northern parts of the country and tornadoes across the South.
Locals in the hardest-hit communities described the fires as the worst they have ever seen.
OVER A DOZEN KILLED AS POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM UNLEASHES POWERFUL WINDS, DUST STORMS ACROSS SOUTHERN PLAINS
The Oklahoma Department of Health has reported at least 200 injuries related to the fires, including burns, cuts, falls, and other wind or fire-related injuries.
Many of the injured were treated for burns and smoke inhalation, while others suffered more critical ailments.
For those who escaped the flames, emergency shelters were set up to assist displaced residents.
Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for at least 12 counties, enabling agencies to mobilize resources more quickly and provide much-needed assistance.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly three-quarters of Oklahoma is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with one-third of the state currently in drought status.
These dry conditions, combined with gusty winds and the availability of dry vegetation, make the region especially susceptible to wildfires during spring and fall, which are typically the peak fire seasons.
STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 16: An aerial view of homes destroyed by Friday’s wildfire on March 16, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Governor. Kevin Stitt said that the wildfires fueled by high winds burned around 170,000 acres and damaged 293 homes and structures in the state.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images / Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR VOWS TO REBUILD CHARRED HOME FROM WILDFIRES THAT RIPPER THROUGH STATE KILLING
Officials reported that downed utility lines were the primary causes of some of the fires, with firefighters still working to contain the larger blazes.
The fires have burned nearly 200,000 acres across the Sooner State, according to Oklahoma Forestry Services.
Catch up on Oklahoma’s top headlines of the week for Dec. 12, 2025
Here are Oklahoma’s top headlines of the week for Dec. 12, 2025
A Pawnee native who died in a Japanese prison during World War II is headed back to Oklahoma after officials identified his body 82 years later.
James M. Walker was an infantry corporal stationed on the Philippine Islands when Japan invaded in December 1941. U.S. forces battled the Japanese in intense fighting for months, but ultimately surrendered to the invaders in April 1942.
After being taken prisoner, Walker and thousands of other prisoners of war were forced to travel 65 miles to a prison camp on the notorious Bataan Death March. More than 2,500 POWs are reported to have died at the camp.
Prison camp records showed he died on Jan. 1, 1943 at the age of 46, but he was buried in a common grave with other deceased prisoners. After the war, the American Graves Registration Service exhumed the bodies, collected samples for identification analysis and reburied the remains in a memorial cemetery in Manila.
To identify Walker’s remains, scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System also used mitochondrial DNA analysis and mitochondrial genome sequencing data.
Although interred as an “unknown” for decades, Walker’s grave was meticulously cared for by the American Battle Monuments Commission. His name is listed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate his remains have been identified.
Upon his return to the United States, Walker will be buried in Maramec, Oklahoma in January 2026.
OKLAHOMA CITY, (KOKH) — Oklahoma City police responded to a fatal shooting in the 2600 block of N. Kelly Friday evening.
According to OKCPD, the shooting occurred at around 6:20 p.m.
When officers arrived, they located one adult male with gunshot wounds at the scene. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died during surgery.
Police believe the shooting was a result of a verbal argument that escalated into a fistfight and then a shooting.
The suspect has been taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for questioning.
This is a developing story; please check back for updates.
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Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-0) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (6-3)
Oklahoma City; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Sooners are 6-3 in non-conference play. Oklahoma is 1-0 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Cowboys are 9-0 in non-conference play. Oklahoma State ranks eighth in the Big 12 with 16.9 assists per game led by Jaylen Curry averaging 5.1.
Oklahoma averages 84.7 points, 8.3 more per game than the 76.4 Oklahoma State gives up. Oklahoma State scores 16.3 more points per game (91.3) than Oklahoma gives up to opponents (75.0).
TOP PERFORMERS: Nijel Pack is scoring 17.2 points per game with 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Sooners. Tae Davis is averaging 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 53.3%.
Vyctorius Miller is averaging 15.9 points for the Cowboys. Parsa Fallah is averaging 14.6 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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