Thick, black smoke choked the sky as wildfires tore through Oklahoma, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The fires spread rapidly, swallowing neighborhoods whole, reducing homes, businesses, and vehicles to nothing but ash and rubble. Firefighters battled tirelessly against the inferno, but the relentless flames, driven by fierce winds, showed no mercy.
It all began on Friday, March 14. The wildfires, fueled by intense gusts of wind, raged across Oklahoma, tearing through Logan County with terrifying speed. Houses and cars burned as firefighters struggled to get control of the fast-moving blazes.
KOCO 5 Field Meteorologist Michael Armstrong was on the scene, witnessing the devastation firsthand. Reporting from Highway 105 between Henney and Choctaw roads, he described the chaos around him.
“It’s burning to the ground right in front of my eyes,” Armstrong said, his voice filled with disbelief. “There are several vehicles here on fire. The wind is pushing the flames so fast, it’s impossible to stop it. This is apocalyptic!”
He continued describing the nightmare unfolding before him. “Everything is just incinerated around me. Houses, trees, cars—it’s all turning to ash. The flames are jumping from one structure to the next like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
The strong winds made it nearly impossible for emergency crews to contain the fires. Videos from the scene showed massive walls of flames consuming everything in sight. The sky turned an eerie orange, and the thick, suffocating smoke made it difficult to breathe. Firefighters, exhausted but determined, pressed on, desperately trying to protect as many homes as possible.
Authorities acted quickly, urging residents to evacuate before the fire reached their neighborhoods. But with the flames moving at alarming speeds, some had no time to gather their belongings.
“We barely made it out,” said Sarah Lawson, a resident of Logan County. “The fire was right behind us. We just grabbed what we could and ran. Our house is gone now. Everything we owned is gone.”
While firefighters fought to contain the disaster, the full extent of the damage remained uncertain. But one thing was clear—the battle was far from over.
Wildfires Spread Across Oklahoma
Oklahoma was not the only county suffering. In Okmulgee County, the Baldhill wildfire was finally fully contained, while the Gun Club wildfire was 90% under control. However, the Stripes wildfire remained only 50% contained, and officials had no information on the Bever wildfire’s status.
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
Osage County also faced multiple fires, each with different levels of containment. The Acorn wildfire was 75% contained, the Maker wildfire 70%, and the Nadel wildfire 60%. But for the Pulare, Tangon, and Bear wildfires, officials had no containment figures yet, leaving residents in uncertainty and fear.
Other counties, including Oklahoma, Garvin, Seminole, Payne, Creek, Murray, and Pontotoc, continued battling active wildfires, with no official containment percentages available. Residents were advised to be prepared for evacuation at a moment’s notice.
Evacuations Ordered in Stillwater
As the fires spread, emergency officials ordered evacuations in parts of Stillwater on Friday night. The flames had reached residential areas, forcing families to flee.
Rob Hill, the director of emergency management, issued an urgent warning. “We’re asking people to evacuate immediately. The fire has crossed the road into neighborhoods, and we have several structures on fire. It’s dangerous out here. Get out while you still can.”
Hotels and businesses were not spared either. Authorities evacuated the Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta. Even Walmart was cleared out as a precaution.
Dust Storms Worsen the Situation
To make matters worse, strong winds carried thick dust across the region. The National Weather Service in Norman posted a warning about a massive dust storm sweeping through Oklahoma. Visibility in northwest Oklahoma dropped to near zero as dust from the north mixed with smoke from the wildfires, creating an even more hazardous environment.
Late Friday night, Dewey and Custer counties became the latest areas to suffer from Oklahoma’s wildfires. The NWS issued a fire warning for northeastern Roger Mills County, western Dewey County, and northwestern Custer County at the request of Oklahoma Forestry Services.
At 9:13 p.m. CDT, a dangerous wildfire was reported four miles northeast of Leedey, moving east at 1 to 3 mph. Officials warned that the fire threatened communities in Camargo, Leedey, Angora, and surrounding areas.
“This fire is unpredictable,” said Fire Chief Mark Reynolds. “Winds are shifting, and the dry conditions are making it spread faster than we can handle. If you’re in the path, get out now!”
Authorities urged residents to remain on high alert and to avoid driving into smoke-covered areas. The risk of extreme fire behavior, including wind-driven flames and torching trees, was high. Firefighters continued working tirelessly, knowing the situation could change at any moment.
A Tragic Loss in California’s Wildfire Crisis
Meanwhile, across the country in California, another wildfire brought heartbreak. The Eaton Fire, a fast-moving inferno, claimed the life of Dalyce Curry, a beloved 95-year-old woman known as “Momma D.”
Curry had been missing since the night of Tuesday, January 7, when the fire erupted in Altadena, rapidly spreading through the neighborhood. Her family had hoped for a miracle, but on Sunday, January 12, authorities confirmed the worst—her remains were found at the site of her destroyed home.
Her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, had been desperately searching for her. “I dropped her off that night, thinking she was safe at home,” Kelley said, her voice trembling. “I never imagined that would be the last time I saw her.”
Firefighters had battled to contain the Eaton Fire, but it was too late for Momma D. Kelley recalled the moment an officer told her what had happened.
“I’m sorry, your grandmother’s property is gone. It totally burned down,” the officer said.
The family was devastated. “She had so much life left in her,” said her granddaughter Loree Beamer-Wilkinson. “She was independent, funny, and full of energy. She didn’t seem 95 at all.”
Curry had a rich history. In the 1950s, she worked in Hollywood, appearing in films like The Ten Commandments, Blues Brothers, and Lady Sings the Blues. Later in life, she became a nurse and was deeply involved in her community.
In one of her last moments captured on video, Momma D sat at a restaurant with her family, smiling and laughing, completely unaware of what was to come. “So beyond blessed to still have my grandma at 95!” Kelley had written in the caption. But now, that memory carried a painful weight.
Her family launched a GoFundMe campaign to give her the farewell she deserved. “She often said, ‘I have yet to begin to live.’ She was a dreamer, a doer, and an incredible grandmother. We want to honor her properly.”
A Season of Devastation
The ongoing wildfire crisis in California has already claimed 24 lives, with many more unaccounted for. The state has suffered 135 wildfires so far, burning over 40,000 acres and destroying more than 12,300 structures.
Both Oklahoma and California now stand as grim reminders of nature’s raw power. Firefighters and emergency crews continue to battle the flames, but the fight is far from over. For those who have lost everything, the road to recovery will be long, but hope remains.
Communities are coming together, offering support, and proving that even in the face of devastation, resilience burns brighter than the flames.
