Oklahoma Wildfires Force Voluntary Evacuation of Thousands in Woodward
2/18/2026 8:22:00 AM
Hot and dry weather in the U.S. state of Oklahoma has sparked large wildfires, prompting authorities to urge about one-third of Woodward’s residents to leave their homes.
Matt Lehenbauer, director of Woodward’s Emergency Management, said the evacuation recommendation affects roughly 4,000 people out of the city’s 12,000 residents. He clarified that the evacuation is voluntary, as Oklahoma state law does not allow mandatory evacuations.
Lehenbauer noted that the wildfire near Woodward, located about 140 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, is approaching a worst-case scenario, though it has not yet reached the city’s most densely populated areas.
The fires have been fueled by vegetation in the western and northwestern parts of the state amid unusually warm weather. The National Weather Service predicted daytime temperatures could reach around 25 degrees above normal, accompanied by stormy southwest winds exceeding 60 miles per hour.
Matt Lehenbauer, director of Woodward’s Emergency Management, said the evacuation recommendation affects roughly 4,000 people out of the city’s 12,000 residents. He clarified that the evacuation is voluntary, as Oklahoma state law does not allow mandatory evacuations.
Lehenbauer noted that the wildfire near Woodward, located about 140 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, is approaching a worst-case scenario, though it has not yet reached the city’s most densely populated areas.
The fires have been fueled by vegetation in the western and northwestern parts of the state amid unusually warm weather. The National Weather Service predicted daytime temperatures could reach around 25 degrees above normal, accompanied by stormy southwest winds exceeding 60 miles per hour.