Wildfires swept through several parts of Oklahoma on Friday, driven by powerful winds that sent plumes of dust and smoke across the region, knocked down power lines and sparked evacuation orders as fast-moving flames threatened residential areas.
Gusts of up to 70 mph were part of a “monster” storm that was raging across the United States, expected to bring blizzard conditions to the northern Plains, wildfires to the southern and central U.S. and tornadoes in the South. The high winds and fire weather conditions were expected to continue into the evening. A near-critical fire threat was expected to continue into Saturday.
Windows rattled, roof shingles and broken branches ripped through the air, and sirens could be heard throughout the day in Oklahoma City and other areas as fire crews raced to numerous hot spots as they sprouted up.
There were eight fire warnings issued by the National Weather Service and Oklahoma Forestry Services as of 3:40 p.m. Friday, which indicate dangerous wildfires where residents are being advised to prepare for an evacuation if requested:
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Velma — two miles southeast
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Meridian/Arcadia — three miles south of Meridian
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Camargo — west of the town
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Orlando — three miles east
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Lake Thunderbird/Norman — several fires and a large evacuation area
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Leedey — evacuated Friday afternoon
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Pawhuska — five miles west
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Southern Osage County — south of Skedee
As of Friday afternoon, nearly 75,000 Oklahomans were without power, the majority of outages being in central Oklahoma. A power outage in Oklahoma City temporarily shut down the high school state basketball tournaments at the State Fair Arena. Grass fires broke out across the state, with one caused by downed power lines threatening the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Hope in Oklahoma City before being put out by fire crews.
Blowing dust was causing low visibility Friday afternoon, as little as a quarter mile in western Oklahoma. As numerous accidents occurred due to the extreme wind, the National Weather Service in Norman advised to only travel when necessary and give high-profile vehicles a wide berth.
Evacuation orders issued in Norman, Leedey
Residents in the western town of Leedey, Oklahoma, were advised to evacuate just before 1 p.m. to the town of Hammon at the Oklahoma FEMA Gymnasium for safety.
About an hour later, some Norman residents were asked to evacuate to the Little Axe Recreation Center or Cross Point Church. Residents living along and east of 108th Avenue and 132th Avenue, and north of Post Oak Road to State Highway 9, were issued the evacuation notice.
There were as many as four fires burning in east Norman near Lake Thunderbird on Friday afternoon, the local National Weather Service office said.
Fire weather causes dangerous driving conditions
Friday’s conditions were less than ideal for driving, with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol having responded to several accidents across the state caused by extreme wind gusts.
The state also suspended any transportation of oversized loads, and downed power lines in Oklahoma City caused a section of Interstate 240 between Western Avenue and May Avenue to close.
Remember if you spot a fire to alert first responders by calling 911.
Saturday’s outlook
Fire weather was expected to continue Saturday, with the high temperatures ranging from 59 to 68 degrees.
The northwesterly winds would be moving at an average of 15 to 20 miles per hour, with maximum wind gusts up to 28 miles per hour.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: High winds drive wildfires across Oklahoma, sparking evacuation orders
