Oklahoma City Official Notice: Service Disruptions and Emergency Health Advisories

Emergency Fire Alerts and Health Advisories

As of Thursday, February 19, 2026, Oklahoma City and the surrounding metro area remain under a heightened state of alert. Governor Kevin Stitt has declared a State of Emergency following a series of destructive wildfires in northwest Oklahoma, including the Ranger Road Fire, which has burned over 145,000 acres. A Red Flag Warning is currently in effect for central and western Oklahoma, including the I-35 corridor. Residents are advised that fire weather conditions, characterized by high winds and low humidity, make any outdoor burning extremely dangerous.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has issued a notice regarding air quality and respiratory health. Smoke from the ongoing panhandle blazes is traveling hundreds of miles, potentially impacting individuals with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or heart disease. Vulnerable populations, including young children and the elderly, are encouraged to limit outdoor activity while the Red Flag Warning remains active.

Transportation and Transit Disruptions

Public service announcements have been issued regarding significant interruptions to downtown transit and major highway corridors:

• Streetcar Service Suspension: Oklahoma City Streetcar service is temporarily suspended from February 18 through February 22. This closure is necessary to facilitate utility and infrastructure work related to the construction of the New Arena. A bus shuttle is currently operating along the streetcar route to accommodate commuters.
• Sheridan Avenue Closures: Two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane on Sheridan Avenue are closed near the Myriad Convention Center demolition site. Additionally, North Broadway Avenue remains closed between West Sheridan and West Main Street for manhole installations.
• Highway Maintenance: The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports that I-44 off-ramps to NW 10th Street will remain closed through the summer of 2026 for a bridge reconstruction project. Furthermore, I-240 is narrowed to two lanes at the I-35 interchange as part of a multi-phase improvement project expected to continue through the end of the year.

City Council and Municipal Announcements

The City of Oklahoma City has updated its public meeting calendar for today, February 19, 2026. The Convention and Visitors Commission is holding a Special Meeting at 8:00 AM at the Embassy Suites Downtown Medical Center. Meanwhile, the Downtown Design Commission meeting originally scheduled for today has been officially canceled.

Looking ahead, the city has announced a significant update to the municipal waste program. Starting March 1, the bulky trash collection schedule will change for approximately 64,000 customers. Impacted residents should have received postcards detailing their new collection dates, which can also be verified via the city’s interactive map. Additionally, a Warrant Clearing Event is scheduled for February 27 at the Municipal Court building, allowing individuals to resolve outstanding traffic or misdemeanor warrants without fear of arrest.