Fatality on wildfire in Oklahoma

The man was helping firefighters by operating a motor grader.

satellite wildfire oklahoma

Above: Satellite photo showing smoke from some of the fires in western Oklahoma. The red dots indicate heat. 

A man working on a wildfire in Oklahoma was killed April 12, 2018. The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports the 61-year-old died Thursday in the western part of the state as a result of injuries sustained while working on the Shaw Fire. Television station KOCO reported the man was helping firefighters by operating a motor grader.

Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and coworkers.

The Shaw Fire that started Thursday in Roger Mills County south of Durham is being monitored and is now being mopped up. This fire is approximately 7,250 acres.

By our very unofficial estimates the Reah Fire, another fire in Oklahoma, has burned at least 130,000 acres between Leedy and Putnam. Other towns threatened by this fire are Vici, Taloga, and Camargo where evacuations have been ordered.

satellite wildfires Oklahoma
The red and orange dots represent heat on fires in Oklahoma detected by a satellite. The red dots were seen at about 2 p.m. CDT April 13, 2018.

Woodward County Emergency Management reports the 34 Complex Fire that started Thursday is still burning. Numerous fire departments and task forces are responding. Oklahoma Forestry Services is supporting the fire with both air and ground assets. This fire is now about 59,000 acres.

A video from Oklahoma:

The early reports on this fatality said that it happened on the Rhea Fire. This article was updated to reflect that it occurred on the Shaw Fire.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.