What happened in western Oklahoma
Strong winds near 60 mph helped several wildfires explode across western Oklahoma, pushing flames into neighborhoods and rural areas. One large fire started southwest of Woodward and raced northeast into town. Another fire in Beaver County grew to about 15,000 acres and moved toward the Kansas state line. Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for parts of Woodward and for multiple Kansas towns as the blazes advanced.
Evacuations and who was affected
Authorities ordered evacuations for neighborhoods south of U.S. Highway 412 and west of 13th Street in Woodward. Nursing homes and other vulnerable facilities in the zone were moved out as a precaution. Towns in Kansas such as Englewood, Herndon and Ashland also faced evacuations when the wildfire threat crossed the border. Residents scrambled to leave with pets and valuables as smoke and embers filled the air.
Why firefighters faced extra challenges
High winds made the fires move fast and unpredictable. Aviation assets were requested but could not operate because gusts created unsafe conditions for aircraft. That left ground crews to battle shifting flames without the usual air support. Local fire departments, county resources and multiple state agencies responded, but the weather severely limited options to slow the spread.
Local efforts to save homes and livestock
Neighbors and farmers tried to protect property and animals as the fires neared. Video showed farmers attempting to rescue cattle and residents doing what they could to move livestock out of harm’s way. These are the practical, on the ground efforts that matter when seconds count. The combination of community action and official response helped reduce risk, but the situation remained dangerous until winds eased.
FIREWHIRL OUTBREAK in Woodward, Oklahoma, where this fire is spreading RAPIDLY into town.
Heartbreaking and devastating situation evolving. Alert friends and family immediately.@MaxArcherWX @RadarOmega pic.twitter.com/k09pIkimHP
— Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) February 17, 2026
INCREDIBLE footage of the 43 fire rapidly expanding northeast towards 22nd street in Woodward, Oklahoma!
If you live in Woodward you need to be evacuating NOW!@NWSNorman @SevereStudios pic.twitter.com/C1ugEQwKh5
— Max Archer (@MaxArcherWX) February 17, 2026
HUGE FLAMES are targeting livestock north of Hooker, Oklahoma currently. This is horrible… @ryanhallyall @WxWiseApp pic.twitter.com/IOG9I0kDG5
— Jaden Pappenheim (@PappenheimWx) February 17, 2026
Farmers are doing everything they can to save their livestock from the Stevens Fire south of Tyrone, OK. Heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ED3jZHJ3S5
— Jaden Pappenheim (@PappenheimWx) February 17, 2026
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JIMMY
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