Four Killed, 142 Hurt in Wildfires That Have Scorched 170,000 Acres in Oklahoma

National Weather Service forecasts continued risk for wildfires from windy, dry conditions in western Oklahoma and northern Texas.

Dacota Roberson looks through the burned wreckage of his parents' camper at Lake Carl Blackwell just outside Stillwater, Okla., on March 15, 2025. Michael Clements/The Epoch Times

Four people have been killed and 142 injured by wildfires and high winds that continue to rake Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) reported.

The National Weather Service forecasts that high winds and low humidity will continue across the state, keeping the risk of wildfires extremely high until at least Wednesday.

According to the OEM, more than 170,000 acres have burned since the fires began on March 14. Flames have claimed up to 400 structures, including Gov. Kevin Stitt’s ranch in Luther.

On the morning of March 15, Stitt declared a state of emergency in Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, and Stephens counties.

“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,” the declaration reads.

The governor posted a video on X showing the remains of his ranch in Luther. He voiced a sentiment many Oklahomans shared.

“You never think it’s going to happen to your place,” Stitt said. “We’ll be rebuilding with all of Oklahoma.”

Dacota Roberson spent Saturday picking through the wreckage of his parents’ 35-foot camper parked at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater. He said the camper had been the couple’s weekend getaway spot for about 10 years. According to Roberson, practically nothing remained of the camper’s contents.

“It’s all disintegrated,” he told The Epoch Times.

The Oklahoma Department of Health reported four fire- or wind-related deaths in Lincoln, Garfield, Haskell, and Pawnee counties.

The Pawnee County Sheriff’s office reported in a Facebook post that one man appeared to have been killed by flames while trying to escape his house. According to the post, neighbors said they last saw the man about three days before finding what appears to be human remains in his burned-out house on March 15.

The press release states that the Sheriff’s Office is investigating and will not identify the person until identification is made.

Officials in the other three counties could not be reached for comment.

OEM also reported at least 142 people injured. Their reported injuries ranged from burns, falls, cuts, poisonings, and transportation-related injuries. The OEM website reported that the injured were taken to hospitals in their area.

The charred remains of a pickup truck sit in the scorched woods off Douglas Road in Guthrie, Okla., on March 15, 2025. Michael Clements/The Epoch Times

The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, is forecasting conditions conducive to wildfires through at least Wednesday, March 19, with the worst conditions expected in western Oklahoma, the Panhandle, and north Texas.

South to southwest winds of 20 to 25 miles-per-hour (mph) are expected, with gusts of 40 to 45 mph. A minimum relative humidity of 10 to 15 percent is forecast.

The weather service issued a red flag warning for Tuesday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond invoked the Emergency Price Stabilization Act for the 12 counties covered by Stitt’s emergency declaration.

The law prohibits an increase of more than 10 percent in the price of goods and services.

“Oklahoma consumers reeling from the wildfires can be assured they will be protected from unfair price hikes and fraud,” Drummond stated.