Salt Fork

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Salt Fork Fire ignited on Monday, March 16, 2026, in Jackson and Greer Counties, Oklahoma. The fire started approximately 2 miles southwest of Martha, west of the 15600 Block of County Road 199, northwest of Altus.
Size and Containment: As of the latest official reports from March 17, 2026, the fire has burned 3,656 acres and is currently 60% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has exhibited extreme behavior, fueled primarily by dry tall-grass and rangeland. Driven by strong winds, the fire moved rapidly south at a rate of 3 to 5 mph, with firefighters observing wind-driven runs, torching, and spot fires.
Containment Efforts: The Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) and local fire departments are actively responding to the blaze, with tracking support from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Suppression groups and task forces have been staged in Altus and surrounding cities to assist. Fire crews capitalized on a brief cold front and lighter winds on Monday to shore up fire lines and significantly boost containment from 30% to 60%.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Specific mandatory evacuation zones have not been broadly detailed, but residents near Martha and northwest of Altus remain under high alert.
Evacuation Warnings: A Fire Warning has been issued for the area. Residents in the vicinity of Martha and northwest of Altus are advised to be prepared to evacuate quickly if requested by local emergency management officials.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Specific evacuation shelters and the estimated number of people impacted have not been officially announced at this time.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• The area around the 15600 Block of County Road 199 is heavily impacted by the fire.
• Multiple road closures have been reported statewide due to severe wind and fire conditions.
• Officials strongly advise the public not to drive into smoke and to avoid the immediate fire area to allow emergency crews room to work safely.

For more information, visit:

• Oklahoma Forestry Services
• Altus / Jackson County Emergency Management
• OK-FIRE Wildfire Information

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no official reports of injuries or fatalities associated with the Salt Fork Fire at this time.
Structures Impacted: While the fire perimeter encompasses a significant area, official numbers regarding damaged or destroyed structures have not yet been confirmed. Firefighters are prioritizing structure protection efforts in the affected zones.
School and Business Closures: No specific school or business closures have been reported for the immediate area.
Notable Impacts: The fire poses a direct threat to property and agricultural land in the rural areas near Martha and Altus. The Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center is currently activated due to ongoing wildfires and severe weather across the state.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: At the height of the fire and wind activity this past weekend, there were more than 25,000 power outages statewide, with roughly 8,500 outages remaining as crews work to restore lines.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: The OK-FIRE burn-ban page tracks current county-level restrictions. Officials urge all residents to strictly adhere to burn bans and avoid any activities that might throw a spark, as fuels remain highly primed to burn.
Air Quality: Smoke from the fire poses visibility and respiratory hazards. The public is advised not to drive into smoke and those with respiratory conditions should remain indoors.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: While firefighters have achieved 60% containment, officials warn that the current break in the weather is flimsy. A "dry return flow" pattern is setting up, bringing a return of southerly winds and a warming trend that could push near-record-breaking high temperatures later in the week. This shift could quickly erase containment gains and increase large-fire potential.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Red Flag Warning is in effect across southwestern, western, and central Oklahoma. Southwest winds are sustained at 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Afternoon relative humidity values are expected to dip below 25%, dropping 1-hour fuel moisture to near 3% and creating critical fire weather conditions.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The exact cause of the Salt Fork Fire is currently under investigation.
Weather and Climate: The fire is being heavily influenced by extreme fire weather conditions, including high winds and critically low humidity. The elevated wildfire risk across the region is linked to persistent atmospheric patterns resembling La Niña, which typically reduce precipitation and increase temperatures. Much of the western half of Oklahoma is currently 30 days or more separated from wetting rainfall, creating massive composite fuel moisture deficits and building resistance to control.

For more information, visit:

• Oklahoma Forestry Services Fire Situation Reports
• National Weather Service - Norman, OK
• OK-FIRE Current Burn Bans