A massive wildfire emergency has unfolded across the US Plains. In the northwestern part of Oklahoma, a fast-moving fire on the southwest side of Woodward forced evacuations on Tuesday. Wind gusts near 60 mph pushed flames through the red cedar-filled neighbourhoods.
As per reports, emergency crews are battling out-of-control wildfires across multiple areas. Fire whirls, also known as fire tornadoes, have been spotted moving across the landscape.
🚨🇺🇸 Absolutely terrifying pyro plume on the wild fire southeast of Tyrone, Oklahoma currently. Firenadoes ripping on the leading edge…… Horrific!!!pic.twitter.com/TzqTYoUexe— Asian Algorithm (@BilalAs95040419)February 18, 2026
Numerous evacuations are underway across parts of the Oklahoma Panhandle, including the city of Woodward. Strong winds reaching 60 to over 70 mph are rapidly spreading the fires. Residents in Woodward have been ordered to evacuate immediately as heavy smoke and fast-moving flames threaten homes. Several structures are already on fire.
Authorities said evacuation orders cover neighbourhoods south of US Highway 412 and west of 13th Street. Nursing homes in that zone have also been evacuated. Officials clarified that the entire city is not being evacuated, only the southwest part.
The fire began about a mile southwest of Woodward and quickly moved towards residential areas under extreme wind conditions. Gusts were reaching 60 mph when it broke out. Meanwhile, crews have brought a separate fire in central Woodward under control, but major concern remains near 34th Street and Hank’s Trail and near 48th Street and Hank’s Trail, where heavy red cedar trees are present. Some residents have refused to leave. Authorities have also urged people to avoid southwest Woodward due to poor visibility from smoke.
The Beaver County fire in Oklahoma has burned 150,000 acres and continues to spread. Woodward is being evacuated as the fire approaches the city. Governor Stitt has activated the State Emergency Operations Center and requested FEMA assistance.
Wind gusts over 70 mph are fuelling fires across Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Colorado. The same weather system caused a 30-vehicle pile-up on I-25 in Colorado earlier in the day, killing four people.
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for parts of northern Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area, for Wednesday, February 18.
Officials have warned against outdoor burning due to the risk of catastrophic fires developing quickly under warm, dry and windy conditions.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
