Wildfires in Oklahoma over the weekend resulted in at least four fatalities and the destruction of nearly 300 structures, including the ranch of Governor Kevin Stitt, who shared the news in a social media video.
In the video, posted on Saturday morning, Governor Stitt, a Republican, is seen amidst charred trees and debris at his farm located north of Luther, Oklahoma. He expressed his determination to rebuild alongside fellow Oklahomans, stating, "We knew it had burned down, but I just wanted to show it to you." The footage reveals the extent of the damage, including a sunken area with partially standing walls and a metal container, which the governor identified as his basement and gun safe.
Governor Stitt remarked on the unexpected nature of the wildfires, noting, "You never think it’s going to happen to your place, and these wildfires just come out of nowhere." His office did not respond to inquiries regarding the burned property as of Monday afternoon.
The wildfires began on Friday and spread rapidly across drought-stricken regions, prompting evacuations from the Texas Panhandle to the outskirts of Oklahoma City. Stillwater, a university town, was notably affected, with approximately 50 structures lost, according to the governor.
At a news conference, Stitt described his visits to neighborhoods where only a few homes remained intact, while the majority were reduced to rubble. "It was a perfect storm," he stated, announcing a state of emergency for 12 counties.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Oklahoma's request for over a dozen fire management grants to assist local governments and volunteer fire departments with costs related to the fire response.
In a statement on social media, President Trump indicated that his administration was "actively monitoring" the severe weather impacting various states and expressed readiness to assist local officials. He urged the public to pray for those affected by the wildfires.
The cause of the fires remains uncertain, although Governor Stitt suggested that downed power lines and controlled burns might have contributed. Approximately 170,000 acres have burned in Oklahoma.
Critical fire conditions continued on Monday in areas already affected, with forecasters warning of the potential for more "very destructive" fires. A critical fire risk has been declared across eastern New Mexico, central and western Texas, most of Oklahoma, eastern Colorado, eastern Wyoming, and western Nebraska for Monday and Tuesday.