By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
Parts of the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma were devastated by wildfires over the past week.
The Texas A&M Forest Service estimates 34 fires have burned 90,208 acres across Texas.
Scott Breit, fire weather analyst with TFS, said wildfire potential is due to “a combination of higher winds and very low humidity levels combined with dry fuels.”
Breit said those fuels are a result of heavy rains from the spring and summer of 2017 that are now parched from a severely dry winter in the Texas Panhandle.
That has helped several fires spread rapidly during the past week, including the Carbon Fire in Wheeler County, which burned about 12,530 acres and was 95 percent contained as of Monday morning. The Milliron Fire in Collingsworth County burned nearly 30,000 acres as of Monday, with 90 percent containment reported.
Another large fire, the McClellan fire, broke out in Gray County this week and burned an estimated 32,100 acres. One home and two other structures were confirmed lost in this fire. As of April 20, it was 95 percent contained.
The 206 Fire crossed the Texas-New Mexico border, burning an estimated total of 49,785 acres with about 5,590 acres being in Texas. That fire was 95 percent contained as of Monday morning.
In Oklahoma, three major fires have spread across the state. The largest, the Rhea Fire, has burned an estimated 289,078 acres and is 25 percent contained..
Over the weekend, fire danger will be moderate to high across Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Officials urge the public to remain vigilant in reporting and to take caution in preventing new fires.
Oklahoma has a state of emergency issued for 52 of its 77 counties due to ongoing wildfires and critical fire weather conditions.
Oklahoma officials have reported two deaths as a result of the fires. A 61-year-old-man died from injuries sustained in a fire southeast of Leedey, Oklahoma, while a women died in her vehicle near Seiling, Oklahoma.
The losses from the fire are already being felt in many areas. Several relief funds have been established in Oklahoma to help with relief. Cash donations can be made to the following disaster relief funds:
• Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation: Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation with “Fire Relief” in the memo line and mail to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148.
• Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Foundation: Make checks payable to the Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Foundation with “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line and mail to 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 or donate online by clicking here.
• Oklahoma Farmers Union Foundation: Make checks payable to Farmers Union Foundation, Inc., with “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line and mail to the attention of Wildfire Relief at P.O. Box 24000, Oklahoma City, OK 73124.
The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is also organizing donations.
Items requested include fencing supplies, hay, supplemental livestock feed and milk replacer for calves. Those in need of these items can contact the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension at one of the following numbers:
• (405) 590-0106
• (405) 496-9329
• (405) 397-7912
No other items are needed at this time.
*Updated April 20, at 11:57 a.m.