Pawnee County wildfire: Evacuation orders issued near Westport, Oak Grove; Large fires contained

A fire that broke out in Pawnee County as early as 2 a.m. on Wednesday has firefighters from several departments working to put out the flames on the far southeast side.

Follow along for all wildfire coverage here: Oklahoma Wildfires

8:45 A.M. UPDATE

Evacuees Gather at Local Shelters

As wildfires rage across southwest Pawnee County, residents are fleeing to designated shelters. The Mannford Methodist Church has seen at least 15 cars arrive, while many more evacuees have gathered at the Tank & Tummy on the east side of Westport. Flames have been burning for more than six hours, with new flare-ups reported.

Firefighters Work to Contain the Flames

Fire crews have managed to contain about 80% of the fire as of the latest update, but they remain on high alert. “Firefighters are trying to keep these sporadic hot spots from jumping to the east side of the road,” storm tracker Brandon Wells reported from Cimarron Valley Road. Multiple homes remain at risk as crews work to hold the fire line.

High Winds Complicate Firefighting Efforts

Shifting winds continue to fuel concerns. "Right now, we're seeing southwest winds, but they’re expected to shift west and then northwest between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.," meteorologist Alan Crone explained. Increased wind speeds are also kicking up dust, reducing visibility for emergency crews.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to stay clear of fire zones and follow evacuation orders.

Steve Know, a Pawnee County resident, describes the evacuation from his home as massive wildfires spread across Oak Grove.

Wildfire evacuee Sandy Ford recalls the moment she saw flames near her RV park, prompting an early morning evacuation in Oak Grove.

Evacuations Ordered for Oak Grove Residents

The fast-moving wildfires that erupted overnight have led to evacuations in Oak Grove, with residents directed to seek shelter at the ManNford Methodist Church. "They've gotten alerts all over the place," News On 6's Jayden Brannon said.

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Highway 412 Partially Open, Access Roads Closed

Authorities initially closed Highway 412 but later reopened the westbound lane near 296. However, access roads near the fire remain shut down. "As you can see behind me, these access roads are being closed off by law enforcement," Brannon reported from the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office substation.

Residents Flee as Fire Approaches Homes

Many residents rushed to evacuate, taking only essential belongings. Brannon spoke with one evacuee who left home around 3 a.m., grabbing photo albums before fleeing. "Right now, they have been redirected by Cleveland police over to Cleveland and Hominy," she noted, explaining efforts to clear the area for emergency crews.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge residents to stay clear of fire zones.

Fire Spreads From Rigsby to Blacksmith Road

The wildfire burning west of Oak Grove continues to spread across a two-mile stretch, from Rigsby Road on the west side of Highway 412 to Blacksmith Road on the east. "It’s ever-changing," reporter Jonathan Polasek said.

Flames Diminish, But Danger Remains

Polasek, reporting from north of Highway 412 near Old Keystone Road, noted that the fire’s intensity had weakened slightly as of 7 a.m.. "The orange glow, it's not as pronounced as it was even 30 minutes ago," he said. However, smaller fires remain active in the area.

Evacuations Continue as First Responders Block Access Roads

Authorities have urged residents to evacuate to Mannford or Cleveland for safety. "If you are in the Oak Grove area, you have been asked to evacuate... get to a safe location," Polasek said. While access roads remain blocked, Highway 412 remains open in both directions.

Emergency crews continue to monitor the fire, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and stay off roadways to allow first responders to work.

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The Pawnee County Sheriff's Office says the flames have spread around 2 miles in 45 minutes west of Westport and are continuing to spread to the north and northeast.

An evacuation order has been issued for the nearby town of Oak Grove. A reunification center is being established at Mannford Methodist Church at 100 Greenwood Ave. in Mannford.

The Pawnee County Emergency Management is setting up an incident command to coordinate evacuation efforts.

Due to the fire, the eastbound lanes of US-412 are closed at 296th West Ave in Pawnee County. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is in the area to assist.

No injuries have been reported at this time.