Thick, dark smoke swallowed the sky as raging wildfires tore through Oklahoma, turning peaceful neighborhoods into disaster zones. Flames leaped from house to house, fueled by relentless winds, as firefighters battled desperately to contain the inferno. But the fire showed no mercy. It consumed everything in its path, leaving behind only smoldering rubble and shattered lives.
The wildfires erupted on Friday, March 14, sweeping across the state at terrifying speed. Logan County was hit hard, with multiple homes and buildings reduced to ashes. Firefighters struggled against the wind-driven flames, their efforts hampered by the unpredictable gusts that sent embers flying in every direction.
KOCO 5 Field Meteorologist Michael Armstrong was on the ground, witnessing the devastation firsthand. Reporting live from Highway 105 between Henney and Choctaw roads, his voice trembled as he described the unfolding nightmare.
“It’s burning to the ground right in front of my eyes,” he said, struggling to remain composed. “There are several vehicles here on fire. The wind is so strong, it’s shaking Storm Command right now!”
He paused, staring at the overwhelming destruction. “Everything around me is just incinerated. It looks like the end of the world.”
Videos from the scene painted a horrifying picture—entire neighborhoods engulfed in flames, cars melting under the heat, and thick black smoke choking the air. The fire moved so fast that many families barely had time to grab their belongings before running for their lives.
Emergency officials urged residents to evacuate immediately. The full extent of the destruction was unknown, but authorities warned that the danger was far from over.
Battling the Blazes Across Oklahoma
While some fires were slowly coming under control, many continued to rage across different counties. In Okmulgee County, the Baldhill wildfire had been fully contained, while the Gun Club wildfire was at 90%. However, the Stripes wildfire remained only 50% contained, and officials had no update on the Bever wildfire’s status.
Osage County was also under siege. The Acorn wildfire had been 75% contained, the Maker wildfire was at 70%, and the Nadel wildfire reached 60%. But the Pulare, Tangon, and Bear wildfires were still completely unchecked, their paths of destruction unpredictable.
Meanwhile, fires burned across Oklahoma, Garvin, Seminole, Payne, Creek, Murray, and Pontotoc counties, with no clear containment percentages. Officials stressed that residents should remain prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
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
The situation worsened late Friday night when strong winds caused flames to jump roads, setting new areas ablaze. In Stillwater, officials ordered immediate evacuations as a fast-moving fire roared into neighborhoods.
“We Need People to Get Out Now”
Rob Hill, the director of emergency management, made a desperate plea to residents in the Highway 51 and Range Road area.
“We’re asking people to evacuate,” he urged. “The fire has crossed the road into the neighborhoods. We have multiple structures on fire.”
Hotels and businesses were not spared. Firefighters evacuated the Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta. Even a local Walmart had to be cleared out as flames edged dangerously close.
To make matters worse, a massive dust storm swept across Oklahoma, reducing visibility to near zero in some areas. The National Weather Service in Norman warned residents about hazardous conditions, as the storm carried smoke and dust deep into the air.
By late Friday night, new warnings were issued for Dewey and Custer counties. A particularly dangerous fire was spotted four miles northeast of Leedey, creeping eastward at a slow but devastating pace. Officials warned residents in Camargo, Leedey, Angora, and nearby areas to prepare for possible evacuations.
“Do not drive into smoke,” authorities cautioned. “Flames can spread quickly, and road conditions may be unsafe.”
A Life Lost in the Flames
Oklahoma wasn’t the only state suffering from deadly wildfires. In Southern California, a beloved community figure, 95-year-old Dalyce Curry, lost her life when the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena. Known as “Momma D” to her family and friends, Curry had lived a long and vibrant life, full of love, laughter, and passion.
Her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, had last seen her on the night of January 7. Kelley had just dropped her off at home, never imagining it would be their final goodbye.
“I keep thinking—what if I had stayed?” Kelley said through tears. “I thought she was safe.”
The next morning, she received a text alert about a power outage in the neighborhood. Rushing back to check on her grandmother, she was stopped by officers at a barricade.
“I’m sorry,” an officer told her. “Your grandmother’s property is gone. It totally burned down.”
For days, the family held onto hope, praying that Curry had somehow survived. But by January 12, the heartbreaking truth was confirmed—her remains had been found in the ashes of her home.
“She was full of life,” said her granddaughter Loree Beamer-Wilkinson. “Even at 95, she had plenty of years left.”
Curry had once been part of Old Black Hollywood, appearing as an extra in classic films like The Ten Commandments and Lady Sings the Blues. Later in life, she became a nurse, dedicating herself to caring for others.
“She always said, ‘I have yet to begin to live,’” her family recalled. “She was a dreamer, a doer, and an amazing grandmother.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to give her the “Going Home Celebration” she deserves. “She didn’t think her time would come so soon,” Kelley said. “She always had more plans.”
Ongoing Crisis
As wildfires continue to ravage Oklahoma and California, families are left picking up the pieces of their shattered lives. Firefighters work around the clock, battling flames that refuse to die. The danger isn’t over yet, and officials urge everyone to stay prepared and vigilant.
This fire season has already claimed too many lives. And unless conditions improve, more heartbreak could be on the horizon.
