Ranger Road Fire scorches 280,000 acres as Oklahoma bride rebuilds wedding plans

Knowles, Oklah. — As wildfires continue to scorch parts of Oklahoma, one young couple is trying to salvage a future from the ashes of the Ranger Road Fire.

The Ranger Road Fire has burned more than 280,000 acres, about twice the size of Chicago.

Among those affected is 22-year-old Mariah Barrows, who moved from Vermont to Knowles, Oklahoma, to be with her fiancé, Matthew Gray.

The fire destroyed their home, upending months of wedding planning.

“Just gotta get to a safe place, and figure the rest out later,” Barrows said.

Barrows fled with only what she could carry, including her dog.

In the rush to escape, she said she left behind a key piece of her wedding plans.

“I already left, and I forgot my wedding dress, but the first thing Matt brought out was my wedding dress and put it in his truck,” Barrows said.

When the couple returned, they found their home burned to ashes with nothing left but the roof.

They also do not have renters’ insurance.

Still, Barrows said she found hope in the rubble: her engagement ring and her late grandmother’s ring.

“It was gold-plated, but it’s a little burnt now. When I found the ring, my fiancé was steps away, and I just started balling,” Barrows said.

Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for multiple counties, including where Barrows lives.

Since the wildfires received a federal disaster declaration, survivors have been able to apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The funding can help with temporary housing, home repairs, and replacing essential personal property, but the funds are running out.

For now, Barrows and Gray are rebuilding with clothing donations from neighbors and family, as well as a GoFundMe.

Barrows said the June wedding she had been planning may not happen after the fire destroyed months of work.

“I was DIY’ng the entire wedding, and so all of the stuff for the past 9 months, it was in the house, and it’s all gone,” Barrows said.

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