Four people have been killed and at least 200 injured in an outbreak of wildfires in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) said that the medical examiner’s office determined the deaths were due to the fires or high winds. Lincoln County, Garfield County, Haskell County and Pawnee County each reported one death A state of emergency remained in effect for 12 Oklahoma counties: Cleveland, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills and Stephens.
State officials said on Tuesday that the fires were fueled by strong winds brought by a violent storm that swept across the country over the weekend. Nearly 150 fires were reported across the state, and more than 400 homes were damaged. High winds are expected to continue through Tuesday, and red flag warning (due to gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation) remained in effect for much of Oklahoma until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 200 injuries that can be attributed to the winds and fires.- which includes 10 burn injuries, 37 falls, 15 cut or pierce injuries and 24 people who were struck by debris. Forty-six injuries were transportation related, according to the health department.
Oklahoma House Rep. Jim Shaw identified one of the victims as Allen Ferguson, a youth wrestling coach in Chandler who died while trying to save his son, Will, who is hospitalized in critical condition: “Allen was a hero, and his dedication to his family and our community will never be forgotten.”
The Pawnee County Sheriff’s office said on social media that concerned neighbors found what appeared to be human remains in a burnt residence. An initial investigation found that the resident was attempting to leave the home when it became engulfed in flames.
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