Oklahoma Officials Unveil Wildfire Response Improvements and Task Force Report

Governor Stitt and state leaders highlight collaborative efforts and outline recommendations to enhance wildfire preparedness and mitigation.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In a press conference, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and other state officials praised the collaborative response to recent wildfires and announced the release of the Wildland Task Force report. The report outlines 15 recommendations across three priority areas: better state and local coordination, stronger mitigation efforts, and additional investments in wildfire protection.

Why it matters

Wildfires have become a year-round threat in Oklahoma, underscoring the need for a comprehensive statewide strategy to improve coordination, mitigation, and resource allocation. The task force report provides a roadmap for state and local officials to navigate the growing wildfire challenge.

The details

The Wildland Task Force report recommends establishing a formal statewide fire response plan, modernizing county burn ban authority, deploying predictive detection technology, expanding community wildfire protection plans, creating insurance incentives for wildfire-resistant construction, and adding investments in wildland volunteer training and recruitment.

  • On Tuesday, state officials held a press conference to discuss the report.
  • The report was released in February 2026.

The players

Kevin Stitt

The Governor of Oklahoma.

Tricia Everest

The Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety.

Blayne Arthur

The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture.

Annie Vest

The Director of Oklahoma Emergency Management.

Mark Goeller

The former Oklahoma State Forester who resigned shortly after the wildfires in March 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Wildfire in Oklahoma is no longer a seasonal threat. It's a year long reality.”

— Tricia Everest, Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety

“The way we're working together is just really amazing. We had 180,000 acres burned last week through Oklahoma, and thank the Lord there were no houses destroyed. We had a few barns and some outbuildings, no loss of life.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma

“We have an ongoing search for our state forester. We've gone through several different rounds of interviews. I think the most important thing that I'd like to do as well as the governor, ensure that we get the most skilled individual into that position.”

— Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture

What’s next

The Wildland Task Force report will guide state and local officials as they work to implement the 15 recommendations to enhance Oklahoma's wildfire preparedness and response capabilities.

The takeaway

Oklahoma's leaders are taking a proactive approach to addressing the growing threat of wildfires, recognizing the need for improved coordination, mitigation efforts, and investment in resources to protect communities across the state.