LUTHER FIRES “It was a scene straight out of a nightmare”

Mossy's Milk Soapery

Molly Turko watched in horror as her neighbor and best friend’s home went up in flames, the images captured on her Ring camera. The fire tore through the Territory Ridge Neighborhood on Coffee Creek, between Indian Meridian and Henney Road, claiming the Chaney family’s home.

“Telling her it was gone was the hardest call I’ve ever made,” Turko said. In the aftermath, Turko shared a Venmo account to collect donations for her friends Whitney and Chancy Chaney and their two young daughters, whose home was among those lost in Friday’s firestorm that destroyed at least ten homes in the Luther area, and hundreds more statewide.

Apple Creek Gang

Paula Fuqua, Realtor

Despite their loss, the Chaney family found solace in the outpouring of love and support from their community. The next day, Whitney shared a drone image of the charred remains of their property alongside a Bible verse:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” – Job 1:21

Leaders in Sediment Control

Boydston-Bailey Funeral Home

Assessing the Damage and Moving Forward

For families who lost their homes, the road to recovery is daunting. From navigating insurance claims to securing temporary housing and replacing basic necessities like toothbrushes and clean socks, the challenges are overwhelming.

At the Red Cross Shelter set up at the Luther Community Center on 18120 Hogback Road, fire victims gathered to access resources and find comfort. Volunteers worked to assist, while concerned Luther residents stopped by to offer help in any way they could.

Among those seeking refuge were neighbors Ashsthar Ayers and Reba Henderson, whose homes on Choctaw and Covell Roads were destroyed. Both were home when the firestorm raced toward them, forcing them to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Ashsthar’s wife, LeKesha, who uses a wheelchair, found the evacuation especially harrowing. The family made it out safely, but his neighbor Reba’s beloved dog, Katrina—named after the hurricane—was lost in the chaos. Neighbors continue to search for the missing pet, hoping she will be found.

Oklahoma Country Homes

From the Red Cross Shelter, many victims made their way to the Luther Community Service Center, which opened its doors Saturday morning to provide clothing, toiletries, food, disaster cleaning kits, blankets, and other essentials.

Reba placed a soft blanket in her cart at the “free” store. And the second item was a Bible. With all of her earthly possessions destroyed, Reba didn’t want to start rebuilding without having a copy of the Word of God for comfort and strength, she said.

Firefighters Battle On

As the community began to pick up the pieces, Luther’s volunteer fire crews continued their efforts to extinguish hotspots, particularly in areas north of town near Covell and Choctaw Roads, as well as northeast along Coffee Creek, Sorghum Mill, and Waterloo Roads in Oklahoma County. And north of Waterloo to Simmons off of Peebly Road, as well as other areas to the north of there.

The forestry service worked to dig firebreaks in vulnerable areas while fire crews from multiple districts checked on victims who suffered property losses. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, while for many, memories of the devastating 2012 Luther fire have been triggered by many residents who had to rebuild.

How many homes were lost? What livestock perished? What will the financial toll be? These are questions that officials are now working to answer. The fires affected much of the state, including Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, whose rural property north of Luther in Logan County suffered structural loss.

Luther Fire Chief Figueroa has asked fire victims to email him with details about their losses.

“If your home was destroyed, first, I want to say that I am so sorry. I wish we could have done more, but with the conditions we were met with, it was an absolute nightmare scenario,” he said.

Those affected are encouraged to email firechief@townoflutherok.com with the subject line “home destroyed” or “damages,” depending on their situation. Photos of the damage are also requested to help officials compile an accurate assessment of the disaster.

Residents of Logan County should send similar information to spierce@logancountyso.org with the subject line “HOME LOSS.”

A Community Rises to the Challenge

The Luther community shows resilience and generosity in the face of tragedy. The Red Cross Shelter will remain open for at least one more day, with plans to potentially combine it with another shelter. The Luther Community Service Center will reopen Sunday at noon to continue providing aid.

From direct donations to victims and organizations to food and supplies for volunteer firefighters, the outpouring of support has been encouraging, and more is promised. Groups like the Boots on the Ground Ministry at Luther’s First Christian Church are mobilizing to assist in any way they can.

As the community comes together to rebuild, the needs are vast. Let those needs be known, and let the efforts be coordinated where it makes sense.

Meanwhile, stay weather-aware. The National Weather Service issued another fire weather watch for our area on Tuesday.

Fields Youngblood Water Well Drilling