Wildfires swept through several parts of Oklahoma on Friday, with powerful winds emitting dust and smoke throughout the area, knocking down wires and triggering evacuation orders as fast-moving flames threaten residential areas.
The gusts of up to 70 mph are part of a “monster” storm that ravaged throughout the United States and is expected to bring snowstorms to the northern plains, wildfires, tornadoes in the southern, central and southern United States. High winds and fire weather are expected to last until the evening. It is expected to continue until Saturday, with the near-hazardous fire threats continuing.
The windows rattled, roof tiles and broken branches ripped in the air, and the sirens could be heard throughout the day in Oklahoma City and elsewhere as firefighters rushed to many hot spots as they sprouted.
As of 3:40 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service and the Oklahoma Forest Service issued eight fire warnings, indicating dangerous wildfires, and residents (if required) were advised to prepare for evacuation:
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Velma – Two miles southeast
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Meridian/Acadia – Three miles south of the Meridian
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Camargo – west of town
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Orlando – Three miles east
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Thunderbird Lake/Lap Norman – Several fires and a large evacuation area
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Liddy – evacuated Friday afternoon
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Pawhuska – Five Miles West
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South of Osage County – Skiers South
As of Friday afternoon, nearly 75,000 Oklahomans had no power, with most power outages in central Oklahoma. The power outage in Oklahoma City temporarily shuts down high school basketball games at the State Fair Arena. A grass fire broke out across the state, one of which was threatened by lowered wires to the permanent Notre Dame Cathedral in Oklahoma City, and was then pushed out by firefighters.
On Friday afternoon, blowing dust can lead to lower visibility. Due to many accidents, Norman’s National Weather Service only travels when necessary and provides extensive berths for high-profile vehicles.
Norman’s evacuation order
For safety reasons, residents in the town of Liddy, Oklahoma, in the town of FEMA, Oklahoma, are advised to evacuate to the town of Harmon at the FEMA Stadium in Oklahoma.
About an hour later, some Norman residents were asked to evacuate to the Little Axe Entertainment Center or off-road church. Residents living on 108th and 132nd Avenues, as well as on the north side of Oak Road Highway 9, have issued evacuation notices.
As many as four fires burned in East Norman near Thunderbird Lake on Friday afternoon, the local National Weather Service office said.
Fire weather can lead to dangerous driving conditions
Conditions were not ideal for driving Friday, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to several accidents across the state with extreme wind gusts.
The state also suspended any overloaded transport, with Oklahoma City’s power lines lowering, causing Interstate 240 between West Avenue and May Avenue.
Remember if you find firepower reminds first responders by calling 911.
Saturday’s prospects
Fires are expected to continue on Saturday, with high temperatures ranging from 59 to 68 degrees.
The northwest wind averages 15 to 20 miles per hour, with a maximum wind speed of 28 miles per hour.
This article originally appeared in Oklahoma: High winds drive wildfires in Oklahoma, triggering evacuation orders
