Search Newsroom

Wildfires
occurred in 20 counties yesterday and officials from Oklahoma Forestry Services
estimate at least 40,000 acres burned. Today brings another day of high
temperatures and low humidity, but winds will be a little more favorable.

???Citizens
are again being asked not to do any burning today and to call their fire
department if they see new fire starts,??? said George Geissler, Oklahoma State
Forester. ???Firefighters worked through the night on actively burning fires from
yesterday and that work will continue today. It is critical that we have no new
fire starts today.???

Evacuations
took place in Pawnee, Okmulgee and Harper counties and initial reports show
that numerous structures were lost. Oklahoma Emergency Management damage
assessments are ongoing.

Aircraft
provided critical support for firefighters on the ground. Oklahoma National
Guard and federal aircraft dropped water to cool down flames to allow
firefighters to suppress the wildfires. Though still on-going, the largest
acreage fires from yesterday were:

• Buffalo
  fire in Harper County--17, 280 acres


• Sand
  Creek fire near Weleetka in Okfuskee County??"4,950 acres


• Pawnee
  Cove fire near Terlton in Pawnee County??"3,320

??

???Hundreds
of firefighters from local, state and federal agencies worked together suppressing
yesterday's fires with no serious injuries,??? said Geissler. ???Firefighter
fatigue is a concern and we hope that the lighter winds today, coupled with citizen's
vigilance, give us an opportunity to gain the upper hand safely.???

Oklahoma
Forestry Services is the state's lead agency related to wildland fire
prevention and protection. For additional information about wildfires, visit
www.forestry.ok.gov/wildfire-information.