Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper discusses dangerous wildfire and wind conditions

As Oklahoma battles extreme wildfire conditions and powerful winds, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Foster spoke with News 9 about the dangers on the roadways and the agency’s response efforts.

Q: Trooper Foster, what is the most important task for OHP on a day like today?

A: Right now, high-profile vehicles, especially semis traveling east and west on I-40, are feeling the full force of these strong winds. In Canadian County, the wind is particularly intense. We're currently working three semi rollovers at Garth Brooks Boulevard, which has forced us to close all eastbound lanes of I-40 at that location. Westbound traffic is down to one lane. The bridge over Garth Brooks Boulevard has created a wind tunnel effect, making it extremely dangerous for large vehicles. We’re redirecting traffic onto the service road to keep things moving safely. Additionally, earlier today, we had power lines down on I-240, though that has since been cleared.

Q: What areas are you specifically monitoring, and what role does OHP play in evacuations?

A: Right now, we are focused on major highways, especially I-40 and other east-west routes where wind conditions are impacting travel. As for evacuations, we stand ready to assist any county that requests our help. At this moment, we haven’t been formally called in for evacuations, but our troopers in affected areas are responding proactively. We have personnel on the ground in the Leedey area and other locations where fire danger is high.

Q: First responders themselves are facing dangerous conditions. We received reports of an ambulance involved in a crash due to a dust storm. How is OHP handling these risks?

A: Absolutely, it’s a dangerous situation for everyone responding. I personally witnessed one of the semi rollovers happen right in front of me. Low visibility from dust and smoke makes it even more treacherous. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is equipped with respirators and other safety gear to help us operate in these conditions, but it’s still incredibly risky. That’s why we urge drivers, especially those in large vehicles, to stay put if possible and wait for conditions to improve.

Q: Any final message for Oklahomans watching this wildfire coverage?

A: If you’re in an evacuation zone, get out. Fires can shift direction quickly, and heavy smoke can make it impossible to get help if you’re trapped. Also, if you’re involved in a crash on the interstate, stay in your vehicle unless absolutely necessary. Many secondary crashes happen when people exit their cars to assess the damage. If you must get out, move to the other side of a concrete or cable barrier for safety. And please—don’t be out on the roadway taking pictures of these crashes.