Wildfires Burn Across Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Firefighters are battling several wildfires in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, with the largest fire burning over 283,000 acres in Oklahoma's Beaver County. Evacuations have been ordered in some areas as the fires continue to spread, though no fatalities have been reported so far.

Why it matters

Wildfires in the panhandle regions of Texas and Oklahoma pose a serious threat to local communities, livestock, and infrastructure. The dry, windy conditions in the area make the fires difficult to control and can lead to rapid spread, necessitating evacuations to protect public safety.

The details

The largest fire is the Beaver County fire in Oklahoma, which has burned over 283,000 acres and is 15% contained. Other active fires include the Morning Fire, the Stevens Fire, and the Side Road Fire in Oklahoma, as well as the Lavender Fire, the 8 Ball Fire, and the Canadian Bridge Fire in Texas. Firefighters from multiple departments in both states are working to battle the blazes, and some residents have been ordered to evacuate.

• The Beaver County fire started along Ranger Road.
• The Morning Fire in Oklahoma started at 10:30 a.m. CST on February 19th.
• The Lavender Fire in Texas' Oldham and Potter counties was 20% contained as of Thursday afternoon.
• The 8 Ball Fire in Donley County, Texas was 50% contained after burning 13,000 acres.
• The Canadian Bridge Fire in Hutchinson County, Texas was 100% contained after burning 428 acres.

What’s next

Firefighters will continue to battle the active wildfires in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, with a focus on containing the largest blazes and protecting local communities from the spreading flames.