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Residents evacuate, firefighters injured as Oklahoma wildfires blaze

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Residents evacuate, firefighters injured as Oklahoma wildfires blaze


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Multiple wildfires are burning in Oklahoma, prompting evacuations in a small town and injuring firefighters as extreme fire weather continues on Feb. 18, officials said.

The fire near Woodward, Oklahoma, a town of less than 12,000 about 150 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, has burned about 2,000 acres as of 8 p.m. local time on Feb. 17, according to the Oklahoma Forestry Service. The 43 Road Fire affecting Woodward was one of at least four fires in the state, including one that spread into parts of Kansas, totaling over 155,000 acres burned.

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Officials in Woodward County issued an evacuation order for the southwest part of the town as crews battled flareups and hotspots.

“We’ve got quite a mess going on,” Matt Lehenbauer, the Woodward County emergency manager, told KOCO 5 News.

Lehenbauer told the outlet that 3,000 to 4,000 people live in the evacuation area, which is heavily wooded. He asked residents to stay away from the area, and said a big problem was the amount of traffic as people fled their homes.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he has pledged state resources to help with response and recovery in Woodward.

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“Oklahoma takes care of our own, and we will be there for recovery in the days ahead. We’re praying for the families affected and the brave first responders on the front lines,” he said.

The largest fire burning in the state, the Ranger Road Fire that started in Beaver County, has spread over 145,000 acres and reached into Kansas, where other fires were also burning amid the critical fire weather, the Forestry Service said the evening of Feb. 17.

4 firefighters injured in Oklahoma

Authorities said at least four firefighters have been injured while working to contain blazes in Beaver County, where the Ranger Road Fire was burning.

Three were injured when a fire truck with Rosston Fire overturned, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol. They were taken to local hospitals.

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Another firefighter was injured and taken to a hospital, the Forestry Service reported. The circumstances of that injury weren’t shared.

Evacuations ordered across multiple counties as buildings burn

Evacuations were ordered in parts of Woodward, Beaver and Texas counties, according to the Oklahoma Forestry Service.

Three structures were destroyed in Woodward County, including two at a U.S. Department of Agriculture facility, according to the Forestry Service. In Beaver County, “numerous outbuildings” were destroyed. In Texas County, five structures were destroyed.

As of 8 p.m. on Feb. 17, this is how much multiple wildfires had spread:

  • Ranger Road Fire, Beaver County: 145,000 acres combined in Oklahoma and Kansas
  • Stevens Fire, Texas County: 5,000 acres
  • Side Road Fire, Texas County: 3,300 acres
  • 43 Road Fire, Woodward County: 2,000 acres

The Side Road Fire started as the result of a seven-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 54, the Forestry Service said.

Wildfire weather continues as alerts blanket High Plains states

The National Weather Service said extremely dry conditions and gusty winds were continuing in the High Plains region on Feb. 18. Red flag warnings blanketed parts of western Oklahoma, northwest Texas, southwest Kansas, parts of Colorado and much of New Mexico.

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The conditions are expected to spread eastward across much of Oklahoma, the weather service office in Norman said. The red flag warnings in the state are expected to last through 8 p.m. local time.

Wind gusts can get up to 40 mph and the relative humidity is 10% to 15%.

“Whereas yesterday was very concerning for northwest Oklahoma *only*, today will be a less-extreme environment, but across a much broader portion of Oklahoma/western north Texas,” the weather service in Norman said.

Critical fire danger will last through at least Feb. 19, the weather service in Norman said.



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OSDE launches teacher mentorship program in Oklahoma

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OSDE launches teacher mentorship program in Oklahoma


The Oklahoma State Department of Education has launched the Oklahoma Educator Launch & Mentorship Initiative, a statewide effort aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention through training, mentorship and financial support for educators.

Oklahoma Teacher Initiative

The program includes a five-day Summer Launch Institute scheduled for July 27–31, 2026, followed by year-long mentorship support for first-year teachers.

OSDE said new teachers will be paired with experienced educators throughout the school year to help strengthen classroom readiness and long-term retention.

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“Participating first-year teachers may earn up to $2,000 in stipends, while mentors may receive up to $10,000 for supporting new educators,” said Autumn Kouba, OSDE’s senior director of teacher recruitment and retention.

Focus On Teacher Recruitment and Retention

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lindel Fields said the initiative is designed to support teachers early in their careers while recognizing experienced educators who serve as mentors.

“Recruiting great teachers is only part of the equation,” Fields said in a release. “We also have to ensure they feel supported, prepared, and encouraged to remain in the profession.”

Program Details

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  • Summer Launch Institute runs July 27–31, 2026
  • First-year teachers can receive up to $2,000 in stipends
  • Mentors may earn up to $10,000
  • Retired educators and experienced teachers can apply as mentors

What happens next?

Applications are open now, and the Summer Launch Institute begins July 27, 2026.





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Prep Spotlight: Getting to know Washington golfer Logan Janaway

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Prep Spotlight: Getting to know Washington golfer Logan Janaway


From their favorite music to their Braum’s order, Oklahoma City-area high school athletes have a wide range of views.

The Oklahoman asked each athlete who attended an annual media day to answer those questions and more.

Let’s get to know the athletes in the Prep Spotlight:

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Order book on Oklahoma HS basketball at ‘The Big House’

Logan Janaway, Washington

Sport: Golf

Class: Sr. | Ht./Wt.: 6-5/240

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College choice: Seminole State

Social media: @janawaylogan (Instagram)

Favorite Braum’s order: “Chicken strip dinner”

Favorite pregame musical artist and/or song: “Firefly” by Ty Myers

What’s your dream career outside of being a professional athlete? “Pharmacist”

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Who’s the best athlete you’ve played against?: “(Oklahoma State golfer and former Community Christian star) Collin Bond”

If you could change your school mascot, what would it be and why?: “Bugs because annoying”

Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.





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Three Oklahoma wildfire task forces deploy to help battle blazes in southwest Kansas

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Three Oklahoma wildfire task forces deploy to help battle blazes in southwest Kansas


Three Oklahoma wildland fire task forces are headed to Kansas to assist with wildfires in southwest Kansas.

Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) said three task forces made up of fire departments from Major, Noble, and Washington counties would assist with ongoing wildfires near Ashland.

The task forces include 32 firefighters, 15 brush trucks, and 1 tender. Crews will be deployed for 12 hours, but that period could be extended.

“Oklahoma is ready to extend the Oklahoma standard as communities respond to these fires,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is activated and is deploying resources to assist local partners in need. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed.”

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The crews are deploying at the request of the Kansas Department of Emergency Management. The department requested assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

EMAC is a national aid system allowing states to send assistance to help with disaster relief efforts in other states.

“EMAC allows states to quickly share resources when they’re needed most, and we’re grateful our county partners are answering the call to support Kansas,” OEM Director Annie Mack Vest said.

OEM said more support may be deployed if needed.

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