Stillwater, Payne County declare state of emergency as wildfire damage assessed

Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce has declared a state of emergency for the city, and Payne County commissioners have issued a 30-day emergency declaration for the county in response to devastating wildfires. However, no statewide emergency has been declared at this time.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt met with the State Department of Emergency Management at the Emergency Operations Center on Friday and is set to survey the wildfire damage across the state on Saturday morning.

“Sarah and I are heartbroken for the families and businesses who’ve suffered a loss today,” Gov. Stitt said. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll survey areas hit hardest by the latest outbreak of fires.”

The governor is scheduled to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. to provide further updates.

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator James Lankford shared a message from Washington, D.C., offering prayers for those affected by the fires. He also stated that he will return to Oklahoma after voting on a Senate resolution to prevent a government shutdown.