Oklahoma fire recovery continues in central OK

Monday

The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated as Oklahoma continues wildfire response and recovery efforts. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is coordinating with multiple state and federal agencies to assess damage, provide aid, and assist those affected.

Red Flag Warning in Effect

A red flag warning remains in effect for much of Oklahoma until 10 p.m. Monday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday due to strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation.

Damage Assessments Underway

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment teams, including officials from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and local emergency management departments, conducted assessments Monday in Creek, Logan, and Payne counties. Additional counties will be assessed Tuesday.

Initial state and local damage reports identified more than 400 homes damaged statewide by Sunday afternoon.

Residents Urged to Report Damage

Residents impacted by wildfires or straight-line winds are encouraged to report property damage at damage.ok.gov. Reports help emergency managers coordinate response efforts and connect residents with available resources.

Fatalities and Injuries

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed four wildfire-related deaths:

1. Lincoln County – 1 fatality
2. Garfield County – 1 fatality
3. Haskell County – 1 fatality
4. Pawnee County – 1 fatality

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, hospitals have reported 200 injuries related to the fires and high winds, including burns, falls, and transportation-related incidents.

Aid for Residents

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is offering assistance with chainsaw and ash cleanup. Homeowners can request help by calling 844-690-9198, visiting okdisasterhelp.org, or visiting their teams at:

1. FBC Mannford – 105 Greenwood Ave, Mannford
2. Countryside Church – 2124 S. Western Rd, Stillwater

Oklahomans who lost SNAP food benefits due to the fires may be eligible for replacement benefits. Report losses within 10 days by calling 405-522-5050 or visiting an Oklahoma Human Services office. More information is available at OKDHSLive.

An Oklahoma Human Services mobile unit will be at Mannford High School at 219 Evans Ave., Mannford, on:

1. Tuesday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2. Wednesday: Noon – 7 p.m.

Residents can use BeANeighbor.org to connect with nonprofits providing assistance.

Shelters Open for Evacuees

The following shelters remain open for displaced residents:

1. First Methodist Church of Mannford – 100 E Greenwood Ave, Mannford
2. Luther Community Center – 18120 Hog Back Road, Luther
3. Payne County Fairgrounds – 4518 Expo Circle East, Stillwater

How to Help

Oklahomans looking to support wildfire relief efforts are encouraged to donate. Financial contributions are the fastest and most effective way to assist. Reputable donation options include:

1. First Baptist Church Mannford – Donate here
2. United Way of Payne County – Donate here

Donations can also be made to major disaster relief organizations such as the American Red Cross, Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, and The Salvation Army.

State of Emergency and Federal Assistance

A State of Emergency remains in effect for 12 counties: Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, and Stephens. The declaration allows state agencies to expedite emergency resources and is a step toward securing federal aid. Additional counties may be added as damage assessments continue.

FEMA has approved 13 Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to reimburse 75% of eligible firefighting costs for local and tribal governments. Fire departments and response agencies are urged to document all expenses related to equipment, supplies, labor, and mobilization.

Price Gouging Law in Effect

Oklahoma’s Emergency Price Stabilization Act is in effect for the 12 counties under a state of emergency. The law prohibits price increases of more than 10% on goods and services to prevent unfair price hikes during disasters.

Need Assistance? Dial 211

For non-emergency disaster information and human services, Oklahoma residents can dial 211 for assistance 24/7. For immediate emergencies, call 911.

Sunday

6:34 p.m. The Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center(EOC) has issued a new update for Sunday, March 16.

A red flag warning is in effect for much of Oklahoma from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, March 17 due to gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect for Tuesday, March 18.

Initial damage assessments have been underway over the weekend in advance of the official review with federal partners. By Sunday afternoon, state and local emergency management staff have identified more than 400 homes damaged statewide.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management is asking Oklahomans impacted by the wildfires or extreme winds to report damages to their property to their official survey.

STATE OF EMERGENCY

A State of Emergency remains in effect for 12 Oklahoma counties due to wildfires and fire weather conditions that began Friday, March 14.

1. Cleveland
2. Creek
3. Dewey
4. Grady
5. Lincoln
6. Logan
7. Oklahoma
8. Pawnee
9. Payne
10. Pottawatomie
11. Roger Mills
12. Stevens

More counties may be added as damage assessments are completed.

FATALITIES & INJURIES

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed four fatalities related to the fire and high winds:

1 - Lincoln County

1 - Garfield County

1 - Haskell County

1 - Pawnee County

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 142 injuries related to the fires and high winds have been reported by area hospitals.

7 – Burn

9 – Cut/Pierce

31 – Fall

1 – Poisoning

16 – Struck

36 – Transportation Related

42 – Other Fire or Wind Related

Saturday

7:00 p.m. OG&E advisory announces power has been restored to 95% of customers affected by Friday's extreme high winds. Approximately 3,200 customers remain without power.

3:03 p.m.: Attorney General Gentner Drummond issues price gouging statute for counties affected by wildfires.

Attorney General issues price gouging statute due to wildfires

It prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent for the price of goods and services and helps protect citizens from unfair price hikes. The statute is in effect for Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills and Stephens Counties.

2:20 p.m.: Mayor David Holt posts statement on the wildfire damage and praising firefighter efforts.

"In the last two days, due to conditions that created a uniquely high fire danger, our Oklahoma City Fire Department has responded to 129 grass fires, 43 downed power lines and 19 structure fires. We are so grateful to our firefighters and all our first responders!"

1:30 p.m.: Gov. Stitt returns to his ranch north of Luther, only to find it reduced to ashes.

Gov. Stitt visits own ranch, destroyed by wildfires

11:37 a.m.: Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, has issued a response to wildfires in his House district and statewide that took place on Friday:

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert responds to aftermath of wildfire outbreak

11:00 a.m.: Governor Stitt, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, and Mannford mayor praise wildfire response, promise relief in a press conference held in Mannford.

Governor Stitt praises wildfire response, promises relief

10:50 a.m.: Residents describe the state of their neighborhood following Friday's wildfires

Community remains strong as residents face damage in Stillwater

10:39 a.m.: The devastating impact of Friday's wildfires in Stillwater is becoming clear as residents return to assess the damage.

Wildfires ravage Stillwater, leaving homes destroyed and residents in shock

9:37 a.m.: Residents of Pecan Hill in Stillwater are returning to their neighborhood for the first time after Friday’s devastating wildfires, facing the reality of what was lost.

Residents return to wildfire-devastated Stillwater neighborhood

9:30 a.m.: Aerial footage near Harrah shows several homes burned near Britton Road and Moccasin Lane, where what started as a small grass fire quickly turned destructive.

Jim Gardner and Sky News 9 view wildfire damage near Harrah

9:20 a.m.: Saturday morning, Stitt declared a state of emergency in 12 Oklahoma Counties.

Those counties are:

1. Cleveland
2. Creek
3. Dewey
4. Grady
5. Lincoln
6. Logan
7. Oklahoma
8. Pawnee
9. Payne
10. Pottawatomie
11. Roger Mills
12. Stephens

Gov. Stitt declares state of emergency in 12 Oklahoma Counties

9:15 a.m.: On his first day back as a field meteorologist, Jed Castles set out to track wildfire conditions and strong winds, but what he encountered was far more severe than what he had expected.

Oklahoma wildfires define Jed Castles' first day back as field meteorologist

8:57 a.m.: 14,000 OG&E customers in Oklahoma are still without power,

OG&E continues working to restore power after wildfire, wind damage

8:45 a.m.: Dozens of residents were forced to evacuate after another wildfire ignited near Coffee Creek Road and Triple X Road in Luther. Crews continue battling the flames as residents wait for updates on when they can safely return.

Wildfire forces evacuations in Luther

8:32 a.m.: Stillwater residents are waking up Saturday morning to find police blocking off neighborhoods as the mandatory evacuation order remains in place.

Stillwater wakes to smoke and uncertainty after devastating wildfires

8:35 a.m.: Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce has declared a state of emergency for the city, and Payne County commissioners have issued a 30-day emergency declaration for the county in response to devastating wildfires.

Stillwater, Payne County declare state of emergency as wildfire damage assessed