Tex-OK

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Tex-OK Fire ignited on May 16, 2026, approximately seven miles southeast of Boise City in Cimarron County, Oklahoma.
Size and Containment: As of the latest reporting over the last 72 hours, the fire has burned approximately 23,884 acres and is currently 70% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire is burning primarily in rangeland, short-grass, and tall-grass fuels. Driven by extreme fire weather, including hot, dry, and windy conditions, the wildfire has moved rapidly northeast at a rate of 3 to 5 mph, with head fire rates of spread reaching 220 to 320 feet per minute.
Containment Efforts: Governor Kevin Stitt activated the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to assist local response efforts. Local emergency management, the Oklahoma Forestry Services, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Department of Transportation, and out-of-state crews from Texas and Colorado are actively responding. Aerial firefighting operations, including water drops and reconnaissance flights, remain active to support ground crews.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are no mandatory evacuation orders reported at this time.
Evacuation Warnings: The National Weather Service in Amarillo, at the request of Oklahoma Forestry Services, issued a Fire Warning for Southern Cimarron County. Residents in nearby Keyes and Boise City have been advised to stay aware of the fire's progression and be prepared to evacuate quickly if requested.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: There is currently no information available regarding dedicated evacuation shelters or the estimated number of people impacted by the Tex-OK Fire.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Highway 287 North and South in Cimarron County are closed due to heavy smoke and fire.
• Highway 287/385 southbound from Springfield, Colorado, is closed down to the Texas state line due to severely decreased visibility from the smoke.
• Residents are strongly advised not to drive into smoke and to follow all safety instructions from local officials.

For more information on evacuations and road closures, visit:

• Oklahoma Forestry Services
• Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
• Oklahoma Department of Transportation - Drive Oklahoma

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are no confirmed reports of injuries or fatalities associated with the Tex-OK Fire at this time.
Structures Impacted: Specific numbers regarding structures damaged or destroyed by the Tex-OK Fire have not been reported.
School and Business Closures: There is currently no information available regarding specific school or business closures due to this fire.
Notable Impacts: There is no information available regarding notable people or specific landmark structures impacted by this fire.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: There is currently no information available regarding power outages specifically caused by the Tex-OK Fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: Extreme fire risk conditions are present across the county, and residents should strictly adhere to local burn bans and fire restrictions.
Air Quality: Heavy smoke has moved into the Boise City area. Residents are advised to remain indoors if possible to avoid respiratory risks, and drivers are warned of severely decreased visibility on local highways.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire is currently 70% contained. While firefighters have faced an uphill battle due to extreme fire weather and high winds, a cold front entering Oklahoma is expected to progress southeast. This will bring cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity values, and less challenging wind speeds, which should aid containment efforts. There is also optimism for rainfall in the Panhandle coming Wednesday into Thursday.
Weather and Wind Warnings: A Red Flag Warning remains in place for the Panhandle and extreme western Oklahoma. The area has been experiencing an "Extreme Risk of Fire" due to temperatures in the 90s, relative humidity dropping to between 5% and 20%, and southwest winds sustained at 25-30 mph with gusts over 40 mph.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The specific cause of the Tex-OK Fire is currently under investigation, though some incident reports cite natural causes. State officials note that the vast majority of wildfires in Oklahoma are human-caused.
Weather and Climate: The fire is being heavily fueled by extreme fire weather conditions in the Oklahoma Panhandle, characterized by dry thunderstorms, high winds, low humidity, and ongoing drought conditions. The region is currently in a high-risk fire corridor, which has exacerbated the fire's rapid spread and intensity over dormant, dry vegetation.

For more information, visit:

• Oklahoma Forestry Services
• Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) Fire Map
• Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management