Wildfires fueled by powerful winds are tearing across parts of western Kansas and Oklahoma, threatening rural communities, farmland, and livestock operations as state and local agencies mount a coordinated response.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has activated the State Emergency Operations Center, working alongside the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Forest Service, Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation, and National Weather Service. Task forces from Johnson, Sedgwick, Dickinson, and Shawnee counties, along with the Kansas National Guard, have been deployed to assist local responders.
For agricultural producers already facing dry conditions, Tuesday’s extreme weather has created dangerous and rapidly evolving fire behavior. Meteorologists report wind gusts near, and in some areas exceeding, 60 mph, with sustained high winds expected to continue into the evening. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect across much of western Kansas.
New fire on KS/OK line. Likely burning in Southern Stevens County. Large fire in the Oklahoma Panhandle is burning closer to Meade County. Expect extreme fire growth today, OK Panhandle is a great example of rapid fire growth. Fires will likely burn NE. pic.twitter.com/V2d6ln3QyB
— Cameron Venable, CBM KAKE (@CamVenableKAKE) February 17, 2026
Fire crosses state lines, burns tens of thousands of acres
One of the largest fires originated in Beaver County, Oklahoma, before crossing into Kansas near Englewood and Ashland. Oklahoma Forestry Services estimated the blaze at approximately 15,000 acres before it entered Kansas. By mid-morning Wednesday, Comanche County Emergency Management reported a separate fire had burned roughly 145,000 acres and traveled 65 miles from Oklahoma into Kansas. That fire remains active as crews work to prevent further eastward spread.
Strong, shifting winds have complicated suppression efforts and grounded aviation resources. The Kansas Forest Service is assisting local departments in prioritizing limited resources and coordinating response efforts.
Additional fires have been reported in Seward, Stevens, Finney, and Rawlins counties. The Stevens Fire burned from Texas County, Oklahoma, into Seward County southwest of Liberal. While forward progress has been stopped in some areas, crews continue working to extinguish hot spots.
Several small towns have faced evacuation orders, including Englewood, Ashland, and Herndon. Emergency shelters have been opened in Atwood and Liberal, and churches in Pratt have offered temporary housing for displaced residents.
Comanche County officials ordered evacuations for residents south of Highway 160 and west of Road 5, directing evacuees to the local high school for shelter. Emergency managers warned residents to use extreme caution due to heavy smoke, emergency traffic, and rapidly changing fire conditions.
For many rural residents, evacuation decisions come with added complexity — including relocating livestock and securing farm equipment. While no widespread livestock losses have been officially reported, producers across the region are closely monitoring pastures, fencing, and water access.
Transportation disruptions affect grain and livestock movement
Blowing dust and dense smoke have severely reduced visibility, leading to multiple highway closures and crashes.
Interstate 70 in northwest Kansas was temporarily shut down between Colby and Oakley following multi-vehicle accidents caused by near-zero visibility. U.S. 50 near Garden City also closed after a 15-vehicle crash. Portions of K-23 and other state highways were shut down due to heavy smoke.
Although some sections of I-70 have since reopened, officials continue to urge motorists — especially those hauling grain, feed, or livestock — to delay non-essential travel.
For updated road conditions, motorists can visit kandrive.gov or call 511 within Kansas.
In several counties, local farmers have joined fire crews in containment efforts, using tractors and tillage equipment to create firebreaks. In Rawlins County, officials reported a fire near Herndon was 80 percent contained as local producers and firefighters worked side by side. One unoccupied structure was lost, but no injuries were reported.
Water tenders have been deployed to Englewood and Ashland to assist with suppression, and the Kansas National Guard, along with local fire departments and the American Red Cross, are supporting evacuations and mass care operations.
The Kansas Forest Service warns that weather conditions deteriorated earlier than forecast, with falling humidity and increasing winds escalating fire danger from “Very High” to “Extreme.”
“It only takes one spark under these conditions,” the agency warned.
With strong winds expected to persist into Wednesday, emergency officials are asking residents to stay alert and monitor local updates.
For Kansas road emergencies, drivers can dial *47 (HP) or *KTA (582) on the Turnpike.
