Oklahoma families face devastating losses as Republican Governor Kevin Stitt’s own home falls victim to raging wildfires that have destroyed nearly 300 residences across the state. The Republican-led state government is now taking swift action to protect citizens from price gouging while coordinating a massive emergency response.
At a glance:
• More than 130 wildfires spread across 44 Oklahoma counties, destroying approximately 300 homes
• Governor Kevin Stitt declared a State of Emergency in 12 counties and lost his own farmhouse in the fires
• One fatality reported from a car crash caused by smoke as fires consumed 170,000 acres
• Price gouging protections activated, limiting price increases to 10% during the emergency period
• Firefighting crews from Louisiana and Arkansas called in to assist overwhelmed local departments
Devastating Fires Sweep Through Conservative Heartland
Devastating wildfires have torn through Oklahoma’s conservative communities, leaving a path of destruction that claimed nearly 300 homes and the farmhouse of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt. The fires, fueled by high winds and dry conditions, spread rapidly across 44 counties.
Governor Stitt declared a State of Emergency in 12 counties, activating protections for citizens while coordinating a massive response effort. “It was just a perfect storm,” Stitt said, adding that despite the devastation, “neighbors are going to help neighbors like we always do.”
The wildfires have scorched approximately 170,000 acres across the state, with particularly severe damage in Stillwater where over 50 homes were destroyed. One fatality has been reported from a car crash caused by thick smoked.
Governor Stitt Leads Response While Facing Personal Loss
Despite losing his farmhouse to the fires, Governor Stitt took quick and decisive action. The Republican Governor shared video footage of his destroyed property while assuring Oklahomans that everything will be done to rebuild their communities and prevent this happening again in the future.
“We think some of the power lines contributed to this,” Stitt explained, already looking toward prevention and discussing plans to implement controlled burns under power lines to reduce future risks. The Governor’s emergency declaration activated important protections against price gouging, limiting businesses from raising prices more than 10% during the crisis period.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has activated its emergency operations center to coordinate the massive response effort. Firefighting crews from neighboring states including Louisiana and Arkansas have been called in to assist as local departments faced overwhelming conditions, with some firefighters suffering injuries from smoke inhalation and dehydration.
Community Resilience Amid Devastating Losses
Oklahoma’s small towns have been especially hard hit, with Mannford implementing forced evacuations. The fires devastated families who lost not just homes but irreplaceable memories spanning generations.
Over 10,000 people across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi experienced power outages during the peak of the crisis. Emergency response efforts were hampered by low visibility from smoke and dust, even with firefighters and aircraft strategically positioned before the fires began.
Dozens of fires raged across Oklahoma Friday afternoon, fueled by high winds and dry conditions.
More than 50 houses were lost in Stillwater, the small Northeast Oklahoma town of Mannford was hit hard and popup fires devastated communities everywhere.https://t.co/iIq7j1R02Y
— KOSU (@KOSURadio) March 15, 2025
Relief efforts are underway across the affected regions, and shelters have been established for displaced residents. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for parts of western Oklahoma.
