How to Help the Stillwater Community in Wake of Friday’s Fires

A little under a year ago, my wife and I bought our first house on the south side of Stillwater, USA. Early Friday evening, we were going through that house, sifting through our belongings and trying to determine what was sentimental enough to take with us in case we had to leave.

We were lucky. Thanks to the awesome work by firefighters and first responders, the fires stayed far enough to our west to where we didn’t need to evacuate. But not everyone was so lucky.

Wildfires blew all throughout the state on Friday with Stillwater being one the communities hit the worst.

City leaders held a news conference Saturday morning. Stillwater fire chief Terry Essary said they estimate about 50 homes or structures were lost or effected, and that they expect that number to increase as the further assess the coverage area in the daylight. He said they also anticipate more fires to ignite and that the battle could continue for the next few days.

How to Help

Displaced by fires? Email stillwaterstrongrelief@gmail.com for any immediate needs (food, clothing, shelter, animals, daily necessities)

Donate to first responders and immediate community needs: The city has established a drop-off at the Stillwater Armory (315 E. 9th Ave.) for 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The location will accept bottled water, Gatorade, packaged food and snacks, and pet food. Community members affected by the fires can pick up donations from the armory from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Monetary donations: The United Way of Payne County has set up  Stillwater Strong Relief, where donations will stay local to Stillwater. Click this link to find that.

Full City of Stillwater News Conference