One person has died as a result of wildfires that are currently ravaging thousands of acres in northwest Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management confirms that a 61-year-old man died April 12 in Roger Mills County as a result of injuries he sustained in a fire that began southeast of Leedey. A turkey hunter who went missing the fires in Dewey County was rescued from the fires and transported to a burn center.
On Friday, Governor Mary Fallin called for a state of emergency for 52 Oklahoma counties. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture has released ways for Oklahomans to help those impacted by the wildfires.
A Red Flag Warning will stay active for a large part of the state through 10 p.m. Friday, keeping the state at risk for critical fire conditions. A cold front will move through late Friday, improving conditions but strong winds are expected to continue throughout Saturday.
The smoke from the fires has blown into the Oklahoma City metro area. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has issued a health advisory because of the smoke.
Do you think this year’s fires will beat the record of 2017?