Wildfire Stretching Across Oklahoma And Kansas Grows Into A Megafire Renee Straker Thu, February 19, 2026 at 11:25 AM UTC 0 A massive wildfire that started in Oklahoma and pushed into Kansas has grown to more than 442 square miles, according to Oklahoma Forestry Services. That makes the Ranger Road Fire a megafire that's only about 15% contained. The fire caused widespread evacuations Tuesday and Wednesday, as fierce winds and extremely dry conditions sparked multiple wildfires in both states and Texas.
Wildfire Stretching Across Oklahoma And Kansas Grows Into A Megafire
Renee Straker Thu, February 19, 2026 at 11:25 AM UTC
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A massive wildfire that started in Oklahoma and pushed into Kansas has grown to more than 442 square miles, according to Oklahoma Forestry Services. That makes the Ranger Road Fire a megafire that's only about 15% contained.
The fire caused widespread evacuations Tuesday and Wednesday, as fierce winds and extremely dry conditions sparked multiple wildfires in both states and Texas.
Oklahoma's Governor declared a state of emergency in three counties: Beaver, Texas and Woodward counties, as the fires destroyed multiple homes and buildings. Gov. Kevin Stitt said additional counties may be added if the fires spread.
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Crews are battling at least three other major fires in the state:
Stevens Fire (Texas County): 12,428 Acres - 50% Contained
Side Road Fire (Texas County): 3,680 Acres - 60% Contained
43 Fire (Woodward County): 1,680 Acres - 30% Contained
Oklahoma Forestry Services
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The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported a fire truck from Rosston Fire overturned, injuring three firefighters. The Oklahoma Forestry Services reported that another firefighter was injured and taken to a hospital on Tuesday, but it wasn't clear where the incident happened.
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Kansas
The Ranger Road Fire crossed into Kansas Tuesday, racing into Englewood and Ashland, said the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.
The Kansas Forest Service also reported at least three other fires, two in Seward County plus the Garden City Fire in Finney County.
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Garden City Fire Department
Parts of Interstate 70 were shut down after low visibility and blowing dust caused multiple crashes. The highway was closed in both directions between Colby and Oakley but the Kansas Department of Transportation said all lanes were reopened Tuesday night.
Texas
Crews are responding to multiple fires in the Texas Panhandle.
The 8 Ball Fire in Armstrong County has scorched at least 9,000 acres and is about 40% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Texas A&M Forest Services
The Lavender Fire has grown to at least 12,000 acres near Valley de Oro, about 18 miles northwest of Amarillo. That fire is about 20% contained.
At least five other fires were 100% contained on Tuesday night.
The fires across the Panhandle shut down multiple roads and caused evacuations Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Amarillo warned that critical fire weather would return Thursday, even though winds might be slightly lower. They urged residents to be ready to evacuate.
Source: "AOL Breaking"
Source: Breaking
Published: February 19, 2026 at 06:54AM on Source: PRIME TIME
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