Stevens

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Stevens Fire ignited around 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, approximately 7 miles northeast of Hooker, Oklahoma, in Texas County.
Size and Containment: As of February 23, 2026, the fire has burned an estimated 12,428 acres and is 90% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire was fueled by dormant, freeze-cured grasses and extreme drought conditions. It initially exhibited rapid rates of spread driven by wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, pushing the fire northeast from Hooker toward the community of Tyrone and the Kansas state line.
Containment Efforts: Unified Command involves Oklahoma Forestry Services and local fire departments from Texas County and surrounding areas. Federal assistance has been secured through a FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to support response costs. Crews have made significant progress over the weekend due to moderated weather, raising containment from 50% to 90%.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Mandatory evacuation orders were previously issued for the town of Tyrone, Oklahoma, on February 17. These orders have since been lifted, and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.
Evacuation Warnings: While immediate threats have subsided, residents in Texas County are advised to remain vigilant as fire weather conditions can change rapidly.
Evacuation Shelters: Shelters were previously established at the Seward County Activity Center in Liberal, Kansas, and CrossPoint Church. These have largely deactivated as residents returned home.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• U.S. Highway 54: Was closed between Hooker and Tyrone due to smoke and fire activity but has since reopened.
• U.S. Highway 283: Sections were closed near the Oklahoma/Kansas border due to the nearby Ranger Road fire.
• Travelers are advised to check current road conditions before driving through the Panhandle, as smoke may still impact visibility in some areas.

For more information, visit:

• Oklahoma Forestry Services Facebook Page (Primary source for daily updates)
• Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
• FEMA Stevens Fire Declaration Details

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no specific fatalities or serious injuries reported directly from the Stevens Fire. However, four firefighters were injured while battling the nearby Ranger Road fire in Beaver County.
Structures Impacted: Official reports confirm that at least 5 structures were destroyed in Texas County, a combined total from the Stevens Fire and the nearby Side Road Fire. "Multiple homes" were reported lost in the initial run of the fire.
Power Outages: The town of Tyrone experienced significant power outages after poles caught fire and were blown down by high winds. Crews have been working to restore service.
Notable Impacts: The fire disrupted travel and commerce across the Oklahoma Panhandle, and schools in affected districts were briefly closed.

Safety Concerns:
Burn Bans: A county-wide burn ban remains in effect for Texas County due to dormant vegetation and ongoing drought conditions.
Air Quality: Air quality has improved significantly since the initial outbreak, but residual smoke from smoldering areas may still affect those with respiratory conditions.
Fire Weather: The area remains in a drought, meaning any new starts could still exhibit resistance to control despite higher containment numbers.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment now at 90%, firefighters are focusing on mopping up hot spots and securing the fire perimeter. Full containment is expected soon, provided weather conditions do not drastically deteriorate.
Weather and Wind Warnings: While weather moderated over the weekend, the National Weather Service warns of "elevated fire weather conditions" returning Tuesday, February 24. Relative humidity values are expected to dip below 25% with breezy conditions, which could test containment lines. A frontal boundary may bring light showers to northern Oklahoma mid-week, potentially aiding final mop-up efforts.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The specific cause of the Stevens Fire remains under investigation. A nearby fire, the "Side Road Fire," was reportedly sparked by a vehicle accident, but the Stevens Fire's ignition source has not been officially released.
Weather and Climate: The fire was driven by a "historic" fire weather setup characterized by extreme drought, unseasonably high temperatures (25 degrees above average), and hurricane-force wind gusts. These conditions are consistent with long-term climate trends in the Southern Plains, where "flash droughts" and warming winters are extending the wildfire season and increasing the intensity of grass fires.

For more information, visit:

• Oklahoma Forestry Services
• National Weather Service - Norman, OK Fire Weather
• Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management