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- Wildfires in Oklahoma, US
Problems
Wildfires in Oklahoma
Oklahoma does experience frequent wildfires. Fire is a naturally occurring process in all of the native ecosystems throughout Oklahoma and a recent study found that 74 percent of the residents of the state believe the fire is necessary to manage the land, but don’t want fire in their backyard. Oklahoma has a long history of wildfires, influenced by its dry climate, strong winds, and periodic drought conditions. Uncontrolled fires were common due to natural causes like lightning. Contributing Factors to Wildfires in Oklahoma: ● Long periods of dry weather create prime conditions for wildfires. ● Oklahoma’s strong winds can rapidly spread flames. ● Accidental ignitions, downed power lines, and arson contribute to fire outbreaks. ● Climate Change: Increasingly severe weather patterns, including hotter summers and prolonged droughts, have intensified fire risks. If unprepared, wildfire can become a threat to human life and personal property. Suppression of these wildfires cost the state taxpayers millions of dollars each year. With the increase in the number of wildfires and acres burned, it is becoming more important to understand what conditions present the highest fire danger to prevent the loss of life and property. Need to equip planners and firefighting professionals with the latest information. It is also essential to understand how the different seasons of the year impact wildfires in Oklahoma. With this information, basic guidelines can be established for fire management professionals to determine wildfire danger, as well as guide state and local officials in the implementation of burn bans.
Gallery
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Timelines
2025
March 16
Raging wildfires in Oklahoma have left four people dead and over 140 injured, the state's medical examiner said. More than 400 homes and structures have been destroyed and at least 170,000 acres burned in Oklahoma after several wildfires broke out, prompting evacuations amid extreme fire weather conditions.
March 14
The Oklahoma wildfires were primarily driven by a combination of extreme weather conditions and environmental factors: ● High Winds: Wind speeds reached up to 70 mph, which rapidly intensified and spread the fires across various regions. ● Dry Conditions and Low Humidity: The state experienced dry weather with low humidity levels, creating an environment conducive to wildfires. ● Above-Normal Temperatures: Elevated temperatures contributed to the dryness of vegetation, increasing its susceptibility to ignition. These factors collectively led to the ignition and rapid spread of wildfires, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life. Oklahoma Wildfires Cause Extensive Damage and Casualties Wildfires swept through several parts of Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service.
2024
Oklahoma wildfire season was a series of notable wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Oklahoma during 2024.
2023
2022-2023 Wildfires: Dry conditions and extreme wind events led to numerous fires across the state, including in the panhandle and rural areas.
2018
Rhea and 34 Complex Fires: One of the worst fire outbreaks in recent history, burning more than 348,000 acres in western Oklahoma and killing two people.
2017
Northwest Oklahoma Wildfires: Several large fires burned in Oklahoma and Kansas, with more than 400,000 acres affected.
2012
August
Oklahoma wildfires were a series of wildfires that impacted areas throughout the state of Oklahoma. Starting earlier in the year, a widespread drought caused many areas to be exposed to wildfires. Starting in late July and early August, the wildfires burned at least 52,000 acres and destroyed at least 121 homes and businesses. A wildfire near Luther in Central Oklahoma destroyed about 50 homes and other buildings before getting under control on August 4. Although property damage was substantial, no human lives due to the fires were reported. This may have been because several threatened communities were evacuated before fires reached them.
2011
A severe drought contributed to large fires, including one in Newcastle that destroyed dozens of homes. It was estimated that it cost around $5 million to extinguish a single wildfire that burned around 40,000 acres in southwestern Oklahoma.
2009
Fueled by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, multiple fires broke out across Oklahoma, including one that burned over 30,000 acres. During 2009, property damaged by wildfires in Oklahoma was estimated at nearly $30 million.
2008
5,572 wildfires burning more than 196,000 acres across the state.
2007
From 2000 to 2007, more than 680,000 acres were burned by wildfires in the state. During the same time, more than 8,000,000 acres were burned by prescribed fires. Information from the state fire marshal’s office showed there were 17,499 wildfires reported from 2000 to 2007 in Oklahoma.
2006
The 2005-2006 Fire Season was a particularly destructive period, with over 600,000 acres burned across the state. This season saw numerous home and property losses.
1996
One of the worst fire seasons in Oklahoma history, with hundreds of thousands of acres burned due to severe drought and high winds.
1930
1930s Extreme drought and poor land management led to dust storms and increased fire risks across Oklahoma.