Oklahoma
Residents evacuate, firefighters injured as Oklahoma wildfires blaze
Wildfires burn acres across Oklahoma, Texas Panhandles
Fast-moving wildfires burn thousands of acres in Oklahoma and Texas, prompting evacuations and red-flag warnings.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved House Resolution 1054, designating April 2026 as Library Month in Oklahoma.
The resolution was filed by Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, and recognizes the role libraries play in supporting education, workforce development, access to technology and community engagement across the state.
April 29 was also observed as Library Day at the Capitol, hosted by McCane in partnership with the Oklahoma Libraries Association and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. The event provided an opportunity for residents, library professionals and lawmakers to connect and discuss the impact of library services.
“I am so excited to host the first ever Library Day at the Capitol to help advocate for our libraries and library staff,” McCane said. “Together, we can ensure that libraries continue to thrive and serve as vital resources for generations to come.”
State officials emphasized that libraries serve as critical community resources, offering educational programming, workforce support and access to information. They also highlighted libraries as “third places,” providing spaces for community interaction outside of home and work.
Library representatives from across Oklahoma participated in the event, showcasing programs such as early literacy initiatives and STEM education opportunities, particularly in rural areas.
Officials said the designation and event aim to raise awareness of the role libraries play in improving literacy, supporting communities and expanding access to resources statewide.
SAYRE, Okla. (KOKH) — The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for Barry Christian, who went missing on Tuesday.
The Sheriff’s Office said Christian’s last known contact was yesterday, after he failed to appear for a scheduled meeting, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Christian is described as a 54-year-old white male, approximately 6 ft tall and 230 lbs with blue eyes and grey hair.
Authorities said Christian is believed to be driving a charcoal gray 2024 Ram pickup.
Oklahoma Senate District 38 candidate Barry Christian reported missing in Beckham County
If you have any information on Christian’s whereabouts, please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately or call the Sayre Police Department at 580-928-2122.
Christian is currently a candidate for Oklahoma Senate District 38.
Christian is currently running for a seat in the Oklahoma Senate.
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Court records show Jarqez Evans is charged with first-degree rape and forcible oral sodomy in connection with a traffic stop in January 2025.
READ MORE: Oklahoma trooper arrested for sexual assault after alleged traffic stop incident
The incident reportedly happened when Evans stopped a vehicle at S.E. 29th and S. High Avenue. The victim told investigators that Evans told her she could follow him down the street or go to jail for driving under suspension and without insurance.
After following Evans to S.E. 31st and High, Evans entered the victim’s front passenger seat. The victim then drove further south and parked.
Officials said at that point, Evans allegedly unzipped his pants and instructed the victim to perform a sex act on him. He then asked the woman to bend over, at which point he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
READ MORE: Dash cam: former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper charged with rape after traffic stop
Then, Evans returned to his vehicle without issuing any citations to the victim.
The victim reported the sexual assault to the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Officers collected evidence before handing over the investigation to OHP’s Criminal Investigations Section.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said it received the complaint and placed Evans on administrative leave shortly afterward.
Following an investigation, Evans was arrested and his employment was terminated.
“The Oklahoma Highway Patrol values the trust placed in us by the citizens we serve,” OHP said in a statement. “When that trust is called into question, we take appropriate action in accordance with our policies and the law, regardless of position or rank.”
On Wednesday, Evans pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
The case moved to a pretrial conference, set for August, and his bail was listed at $100,000.
-
World4 minutes agoGlobal famine fears rise as Hormuz crisis threatens ‘eight-year,’ Suez-scale disruption
-
Politics10 minutes agoWyoming official faces backlash after posting ‘hang bad judges’ comment on abortion ruling
-
Health16 minutes agoVitamin supplement may delay diabetes in select groups, researchers say
-
Sports22 minutes agoFever star Caitlin Clark avoids serious injury after scary fall leads to early exit in preseason game
-
Technology28 minutes agoAre insurance apps watching you?
-
Business34 minutes agoCommentary: Resurrecting a discredited theory on COVID’s origin, DOJ indicts an ex-Fauci aide over old emails
-
Entertainment40 minutes agoJudge to Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen: ‘You two need to stay away from each other’
-
Lifestyle46 minutes agoMove over, Elsa. The hottest entertainers at L.A. kid parties are ‘KPop Demon Hunters’