Authorities say more than 130 wildfires were reported in 44 counties across Oklahoma on Friday, and many are still active Saturday morning.
State Highway 51, abbreviated to SH-51 or OK-51, is a major state highway in Oklahoma, United States. It runs for 332.8 miles east–west across the state, running from the Texas state line to Arkansas. It is the third-longest state highway in the system.
The town is currently in the direct path of a wildfire. The state of Oklahoma is being pounded by 70-80mph wind gust.
Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued a state of emergency for 12 counties after wildfires caused destruction throughout Oklahoma on Friday.The state of emergency was declared for Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, and Stephens counties.
Some of the major fires were in Mannford, Stillwater, Guthrie, Leedey, Norman, Oklahoma City and Little Axe.
Fires also sparked in the following counties: Alfalfa, Beckham, Blaine, Canadian, Choctaw, Cleveland, Comanche, Creek, Dewey, Grant, Grady, Dewey, Harper, Johnston, Kay, Kingfisher, Latimer, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, Marshall, Mayes, McClain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Okfuskee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Sequoyah, Stephens, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington, and Woods.
The emergency declaration temporarily suspends requirements for size and weights permits of oversized vehicles transporting materials and supplies used for emergency relief and power restoration. The declaration will remain in effect for 30 days.
“Due to impacts from dangerous wildfires and straight-line-winds beginning Friday, March 14 and continuing including damage to power lines and infrastructure, it is necessary to assist and expedite all efforts of relief.”
According to Stillwater Emergency Management, the evacuation area Saturday morning is from Sixth to 44th streets and South Range to Sangra roads.
Those who have experienced loss in Payne County can go to the Fairgrounds Expo Center for shelter.
Oklahoma Emergency Management officials also listed the following areas as being under evacuation orders.
- Northeast of 68th and Underwood, Payne County
- North Lincoln County
- WSW of Stillwater, Payne County
- Near Mannford, Creek County
- Near Frost, Coyle, Langston, Logan County
