Jed Castles makes Field Meteorologist debut as wildfires sweep across Oklahoma

News 9’s Jed Castles made his debut as a field meteorologist, tracking the dangerous conditions throughout the day.

High winds and dry conditions fueled multiple wildfires across the state on Friday, destroying homes and forcing evacuations.

Firefighters worked to contain the fast-moving flames, but some homes were lost within minutes. Near Triple X Road and Coffee Creek, visibility was reduced due to heavy smoke and dust, making firefighting efforts even more challenging.

Despite the destruction, many homes in eastern Oklahoma County were spared. In addition to emergency crews, local residents stepped in to help protect homes and support their neighbors.

“We’re trying to uphold the Oklahoma Standard right now and do the neighborly thing, which is just helping our neighbor out,” one resident said.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as crews work to contain the remaining fires. Officials urge residents to remain alert and follow evacuation orders as conditions evolve.