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By GARY McMANUS
OCS Mesonet

February ended as the warmest on record across Oklahoma, a distinction that also pushed the climatological winter of 2025–26 to its warmest on record. The unusual warmth combined with expanding and intensifying drought to create critical fire weather conditions across much of the state. Those ingredients culminated in a mid-February wildfire outbreak that burned more than 300 square miles and forced evacuations across multiple counties. It was a month defined by record heat, deepening drought and wind-driven flames.

Oklahoma’s statewide average temperature finished at 51.1 degrees in February, 8.7 degrees above normal and the warmest February since records began in 1895. The previous record of 50.6 degrees was set in 1954. That exceptional warmth also propelled climatological winter (December 2025 through February 2026) to its warmest on record at 44.3 degrees, 4.1 degrees above normal, surpassing the previous mark of 43.7 degrees set in 1999–2000. For comparison, Oklahoma’s coldest February occurred in 1905 at 27.6 degrees, and its coldest winter was 1979 at 31.2 degrees. Numerous individual locations also established records. Oklahoma City’s February average of 52.3 degrees exceeded its previous February record of 51.3 degrees from 1954, while its winter average of 44.7 degrees topped the 1999–2000 record of 44 degrees. Tulsa tied its warmest winter on record at 44.3 degrees; a mark previously set in 1921 and 1931.

Wildfires burned nearly 200,000 acres across Oklahoma during February, with most of the destruction stemming from fires that ignited on Feb. 17 and spread over the following several days. Winds gusting up to 70 mph, combined with an abundance of dry fine fuels, fueled the rapid growth. The Ranger Road Fire, the largest of the outbreak, began in Beaver County and burned through northwest Harper County into Kansas, ultimately consuming more than 280,000 acres across the two states. The Stevens Fire in Texas County burned nearly 13,000 acres and forced the evacuation of several communities. The 43 Fire, which began southwest of Woodward, prompted the evacuation of approximately 4,000 residents from the city of nearly 12,000. Additional evacuations were ordered in Beaver, Carter, Osage and Washington counties. By Feb. 19, the Oklahoma Forestry Service reported 42 active fires across 23 counties. Public safety officials reported no homes were destroyed, though four volunteer firefighters were injured battling the blazes.

Drought continued its nearly unconstrained spread across the state for the fifth consecutive month, covering nearly 92% of the state by the end of February according to the Feb. 24 U.S. Drought Monitor report. The current drought cycle began in August following nearly three months without drought. Coverage increased from 32% of the state at the beginning of winter and from 72% at the beginning of February. The current extent is the highest observed in Oklahoma since Dec. 6, 2022. Severe-to-extreme drought expanded to 32% of the state by the end of February.

·       Statewide average temperature: 51.1°F, 8.7°F above normal — the warmest February since records began in 1895

·       Temperature extremes: High of 87°F at Waurika on Feb. 28; low of 6°F at Eva on Feb. 20; lowest wind chill, –5°F at Eva on Feb. 22

·       Warmest and coolest locations: Highest monthly average, 55.6°F at Waurika; lowest, 45.8°F at Kenton

·       Statewide average precipitation: 0.97 inches, 0.72 inches below normal — the 40th-driest February since 1895

·       Rainfall extremes: High of 3.26 inches at Broken Bow; low of 0 inches at Arnett, Boise City and Eva

·       Highest wind gusts (mph): May Ranch, 69; Beaver, 67; Boise City, 64; Buffalo, 64; Kenton, 64; Eva, 63 — all reported on Feb. 17

·       Statewide average temperature: 44.3°F, 4.1°F above normal — the warmest winter since records began in 1895

·       Temperature extremes: High of 89°F at Mangum on Christmas Day; low of –12°F at Kenton on Jan. 26; lowest wind chill, –24°F at Kenton on Jan. 26

·       Statewide average precipitation: 2.13 inches, 3.24 inches below normal — the seventh-driest winter since 1895

·       Rainfall extremes: High of 6.17 inches at Broken Bow; low of 0.34 inches at Boise City

The Climate Prediction Center’s (CPC) March outlook indicates increased odds of above-normal precipitation across Oklahoma, especially in the northeastern half, along with increased odds of above-normal temperatures statewide. The CPC’s March drought outlook calls for drought to persist across the Panhandle and far northwest Oklahoma, but improvement, with possible drought removal, across other sections of the state.

LeFlore County scoreboard from Monday,

Baseball

Arkoma 5, Union Christian 4

Holland Hall 16, Spiro 0

Sallisaw 3, Poteau 2 (eight innings)

Slow pitch softball

Cameron 11, LeFlore 6

Cameron 14, Clayton 0

LeFlore 12. Clayton 0

To make a correction or addition, please CONTACT me.

By Rep. RICK WEST 

Bill shucking season started early this year. What started out as a shell bill titled "The Oklahoma Game and Fish act of 2026," next became a proposal to amend the Feral Swine Control Act. 

This is how House Bill 3270 was presented in the House Wildlife Committee, where it passed unanimously. The bill's author said it was a constituent request that would help farmers and ranchers deal with the damage done by feral swine. He said the bill was a work in progress.  

I'd say! By the time the bill got to the Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee, the language of the first proposed policy committee substitute had been shucked. In its place was a bill that seeks to update the Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act, which was intended to permit the intentional commingling and integration of farmed and native Cervidae if such deer meet the specifics of the Act.  

It was less than 24 hours between the time this substitute language was filed and presented in committee. This gives hardly any notice to legislators so we can be prepared with questions, talk to our constituents about potential impacts of the legislation, or make wise decisions. This gave almost no opportunity for hunters or any other Oklahoma to see the language of the proposed bill before it faced this oversight committee vote.  

This Act was first enacted in 2024. It's something I voted against. The Act said that beginning in 2026, during the months of February and March and through April 15, bred female and male deer may be released into the wild. 

I have contacted both Boone and Crockett Club and the Pope and Young Club, and they say if these deer that are genetically mutated to prevent CWD are released in the wild they will no longer score any deer taken in Oklahoma or enter them into their record books. Those who support this bill say these clubs are bluffing. I am not willing to take that chance without more investigation. 

The Department of Wildlife Conservation was charged with administering the original Act that was passed in 2024. They haven't yet complied. The author of this bill said it's because of that that he is pursuing this legislation that would remove Wildlife from collecting the permit fees for citizens purchasing deer under this program and instead allow the state Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to collect the fees. Wildlife doesn't take state appropriations. They exist on user fees. The Department of Agriculture does get state appropriations and therefore could feel greater pressure to operate according to the whim of the Legislature.  

Bills have consequences. If this one gets enacted, I'm afraid it could have a forever impact on our state deer population and our hunters. With the enactment of the earlier law, it already may be too late. 

On a much brighter note, I was visited by members of the Wister Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Teachers Paula Midgley and Kristi Morgan brought 10 students to the Capitol last week. Four of these are foreign exchange students from Spain, Brazille, France and Italy. I was kind of amazed that in our area we have such a cosmopolitan group.  

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.  

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at [email protected]. 

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

Calendar of events for the next week for Heavener, LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you know of an event coming up, please CONTACT me.

Tuesday

High school baseball: Kiefer at Heavener; Sallisaw at Poteau; Whitesboro at Clayton

High school softball: Keota at Cameron

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

Thursday

High school basketball: Whitesboro vs. Red Oak 10:30 p.m. OG&E Coliseum

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC

High school baseball: Cameron at Fort Smith Northside

High school soccer: Heavener at McAlester

High school softball: Heavener at Haileyville Tournament (McAlester); Cameron at McCurtain

High school basketball: Howe boys vs. Coalgate 7:30 p.m. at Checotah; Panama girls vs. Wilburton 6 p.m.

Heavener City Council meets 6 p.m.

Heavener VFW bingo 6

Friday

High school baseball: Cameron at Central; Poteau vs. Cedarville, Arkansas; 

High school softball: Heavener at Haileyville Tournament (McAlester); Cameron at Haileyville Tournament; Eagletown at Whitesboro

High school baseball: Heavener at Panama

High shool basketball: Howe girls vs. Latta area championship 6 p.m. at Checotah; Pocola boys vs Latta 7:30 p.m. area championship at Checotah; 

Saturday

High school basketball: TBD

Sunday

Brandon Moody fundraiser at Heavener PAC

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

High school baseball: Checotah at Heavener; Cameron at Hackett: Idabel at Poteau: Buffalo Valley at Whitesboro

High school softball: Vian at Cameron; Whitesboro at Boswell Festival; Talihina at Clayton

High school soccer: Heavener at Poteau

School board meetings