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The 2023 Oklahoma wildfire outbreak: a case study in meteorological conditions, wildfire hazard, and community resilience

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Abstract

The wildfire outbreak that occurred in Oklahoma on March 31, 2023, impacted structures and transportation infrastructure, posed significant challenges to emergency response, and tested the community's resilience. Extensive structural damage, including the destruction of numerous homes and electrical power poles, shows the need for improved wildfire mitigation strategies. The significant impact of the resulting smoke from the wildfire outbreak was highlighted by road closures, which disrupted transportation and school operations. Crucial firefighting operations, led by multiple fire departments and assisted by federal agencies, played a pivotal role in containing the fires. Additionally, community resilience was evident through evacuations and sheltering efforts, with churches and organizations providing refuge. Further, widespread electrical outages, caused by damaged infrastructure due to high winds, presented additional challenges. This study examines the multifaceted effects of the wildfire outbreak by recounting and analyzing the sequence of events. Further, a meteorological and wildfire hazard assessment, using historical data, was performed to provide insights for risk mitigation. Wildfire hazard maps for the state of Oklahoma were utilized to enhance emergency response and mitigation strategies for wildfires. An examination of wildfire risk perceptions among Oklahomans, both before and after the wildfire outbreak, reveal that the degree of personal connection to or remoteness from the wildfire event has a significant impact on how they perceive the wildfire risk. This study presents lessons and recommendations to enhance wildfire resilience. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the multifaceted impact of wildfire outbreaks to enhance community resilience and disaster response to wildfires.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. “OIA-1946093. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Funding

This project was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.“OIA-1946093.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

    Richard Campos & P. S. Harvey Jr.

  2. School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

    Bryony L. Puxley

  3. Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Michael A. Long

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  1. Richard Campos
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Correspondence to Richard Campos.

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This project utilized survey data from an online public repository (M-SISNet); therefore, no ethical clearance is necessary.

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Campos, R., Puxley, B.L., Long, M.A. et al. The 2023 Oklahoma wildfire outbreak: a case study in meteorological conditions, wildfire hazard, and community resilience. Nat Hazards (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-024-06824-6

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