Overview
- Explosive growth since Tuesday turned the Ranger Road blaze into a cross-border megafire, with officials confirming more than 283,000 acres burned and initial containment at 15% on Thursday.
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a disaster emergency for Beaver, Texas and Woodward counties as evacuations were ordered or urged in Woodward, Tyrone, Englewood and Ashland, with several later lifted.
- At least eight firefighters were injured across the two states, including four in Oklahoma—three in a Rosston Fire truck rollover—and four in Kansas, according to officials.
- Multiple structures were lost, including homes and buildings in Woodward and Texas counties, while assessments continued and shelters and relief groups supported displaced residents.
- High winds previously grounded aircraft and forced highway closures such as U.S. 64 in Oklahoma and parts of I-70 and U.S. 50 in Kansas, with blowing dust and smoke creating dangerous travel conditions.