On February 17, 2026, the Ranger Road Fire ignited in Beaver County, Oklahoma, in the state’s panhandle. Extreme fire weather conditions due to strong, gusty winds and low relative humidity helped fuel the growth of the fire after its ignition, as well as other fires across the Southern Plains.

Within just a couple of hours, the Ranger Road Fire grew to 15,000 acres, but it didn’t stop there. It continued to rapidly advance northeast under the strong winds, crossing the border into southern Kansas. By early the next morning on February 18, it was reported that the fire had scorched 145,000 acres, an area about the size of the city of Chicago. A state of emergency was issued in Oklahoma in response to the wildfires, including the Ranger Road Fire.

As of February 18, the Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,283 acres and is 0% contained.

For more information on the Ranger Road Fire, visit Watch Duty.