The sky above Oklahoma turned dark with thick smoke as wildfires roared across the state, leaving destruction in their wake. Entire neighborhoods became battlegrounds against the relentless flames, and emergency crews fought desperately to contain the infernos. But the fire was merciless, driven by fierce winds, consuming everything in its path.
On Friday, March 14, wildfires erupted across Oklahoma, their spread fueled by powerful gusts that turned a dangerous situation into a full-scale disaster. Logan County bore the brunt of the destruction as the fire swept through, reducing homes and buildings to ashes. Firefighters, exhausted but undeterred, pushed forward in an effort to halt the raging blazes.
Michael Armstrong, a KOCO 5 Field Meteorologist, stood at the edge of the devastation on Highway 105 between Henney and Choctaw roads, witnessing the horror firsthand. The flames leaped across the road, engulfing everything in their reach.
“It’s burning to the ground right in front of my eyes,” Armstrong reported in disbelief. “There are several vehicles here on fire. The wind is so strong it’s shaking our Storm Command unit. It feels like an apocalypse.” His voice trembled as he described the chaos. “Everything around me is just… incinerated. There’s nothing left.”
The powerful winds made it nearly impossible for firefighters to gain control. Videos captured from the scene showed homes, vehicles, and businesses swallowed by the inferno. The air was thick with choking smoke, turning daylight into an eerie, orange-tinted darkness.
Authorities issued urgent evacuation orders, urging residents to flee before the fire overtook their homes. Officials warned that the crisis was far from over, and the full extent of the damage remained unknown.
In Okmulgee County, firefighters had successfully contained the Baldhill wildfire. However, the Gun Club wildfire remained a major threat, with only 90% containment. The Stripes wildfire was still raging, with containment at 50%, and the Bever wildfire’s status remained uncertain.
Osage County faced its own fiery nightmare, with multiple wildfires burning simultaneously. The Acorn fire was 75% contained, the Maker wildfire reached 70%, and the Nadel wildfire stood at 60%. However, the Pulare, Tangon, and Bear wildfires remained unchecked, their containment levels unknown.
The crisis extended beyond Logan and Osage Counties. Fires burned fiercely in Oklahoma, Garvin, Seminole, Payne, Creek, Murray, and Pontotoc counties, with officials unable to provide containment percentages. Residents in these areas were urged to be ready for possible evacuations at a moment’s notice.
The high winds today have pulled together one all-timer of a dust storm across our area. It's not done, either – northwest Oklahoma is seeing its lowest visibility yet as dust gets wrapped around the storm from the north. pic.twitter.com/BhdugazRaj
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) March 14, 2025
By Friday night, the situation took a terrifying turn in Stillwater, where a fast-moving wildfire tore into residential areas. Emergency management director Rob Hill issued an urgent plea to those near Highway 51 and Range Road.
“We need people to evacuate immediately,” Hill announced. “The fire has crossed into the neighborhoods, and several homes are already burning. We have to get everyone out safely.”
The fire’s reach extended beyond homes—it threatened businesses, too. As a precaution, authorities evacuated several hotels, including the Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta. Even a Walmart store was cleared as thick smoke crept closer.
Meanwhile, in other parts of Oklahoma, dangerous winds carried more trouble. The National Weather Service in Norman reported a massive dust storm sweeping through, further worsening visibility and air quality. Northwest Oklahoma was hit the hardest, as dust from the north was sucked into the storm, creating hazardous driving conditions.
The situation escalated late Friday night as the Oklahoma Forestry Services requested emergency fire warnings for multiple counties. Dewey and Custer counties, along with northeastern Roger Mills County, were placed on high alert. A particularly dangerous fire was detected four miles northeast of Leedey, creeping east at a slow but deadly pace.
Communities in Camargo, Leedey, and Angora braced for the worst, with residents urged to prepare for immediate evacuation orders. Officials emphasized the extreme fire behavior—trees igniting instantly, flames surging across roads, and thick smoke making it impossible to see.
“If you’re anywhere near these fires, do not wait,” emergency responders warned. “The flames are unpredictable, and we can’t guarantee a safe escape if you delay evacuating.”
As firefighters continued their battle, shifting winds and dry conditions made their efforts even more difficult. Every moment was crucial. Crews remained on high alert, ready to fight back against the advancing infernos.
Oklahoma’s wildfire emergency is part of a larger crisis sweeping through multiple states. In Southern California, a devastating fire claimed the life of Dalyce Curry, a beloved figure known as “Momma D” in Old Black Hollywood. The 95-year-old woman lost her life when the Eaton Fire tore through her home in Altadena, leaving her family in shock and grief.
Curry had been missing since January 7, the night the fire erupted and forced evacuations. Her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, had been desperately searching for her since the disaster began.
“I dropped her off at home that evening, and she was so tired,” Kelley recalled, tears in her eyes. “She just wanted to rest. I never imagined that would be the last time I’d see her.”
As the fire spread, Kelley received a power outage alert at her grandmother’s home. Concerned, she rushed back, but the neighborhood was unrecognizable. Officers stopped her at a barricade.
“I’m sorry, but your grandmother’s house is gone,” an officer told her. “It completely burned down.”
For days, Kelley and her family clung to hope. But on January 12, their worst fears were confirmed. Authorities informed them that Curry’s remains had been found among the rubble of her home.
“It was total devastation,” Kelley said. “Everything was gone—except her blue Cadillac.”
The loss hit the family hard. Curry was more than just a grandmother—she was a vibrant woman who had lived an extraordinary life. She had been an extra in classic films like “The Ten Commandments,” “Blues Brothers,” and “Lady Sings the Blues.” Later, she became a nurse and devoted her time to helping others, earning the affectionate nickname “Kaiser Famous.”
Her granddaughter Loree Beamer-Wilkinson struggled to accept the loss. “She had so much life left in her. She was 95, but you wouldn’t think it—she was full of energy.”
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to honor Curry’s memory, raising funds for a memorial and funeral services. “Momma D never thought she’d go so soon. She always said, ‘I have yet to begin to live,’” her family shared.
Curry’s death is just one of many tragic losses in the ongoing wildfire crisis. Across California, 135 wildfires have already scorched over 40,000 acres, destroying more than 12,300 structures. Officials confirmed 24 deaths, with more still unaccounted for.
Back in Oklahoma, as night fell, firefighters refused to give up. Families prayed their homes would be spared. The battle against the flames raged on, but one thing was clear—this was a disaster the people of Oklahoma would never forget.
