A series of fast-moving wildfires tore through ranchland and grass across parts of western Oklahoma, blackening fields in Custer and Dewey counties and pulling in multiple volunteer and county fire crews. In the aftermath, a Custer City man was arrested in connection with the blazes.
Authorities took Skyler Terrell into custody and booked him into the Custer County Jail, according to News 9. Prosecutors have charged him with arson and with "engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses." Court documents reviewed by the station allege investigators believe Terrell used a lighter to start several separate fires, which officials say together burned hundreds of acres across the two counties.
Fire Spread and Response
Windy, dry conditions helped the flames chew through open country in a hurry, testing volunteer and county departments as they chased flare-ups and hotspots. The National Weather Service had already flagged elevated fire danger and red-flag conditions for parts of western and central Oklahoma, according to the agency at the National Weather Service. State officials have said that recent grassland fires have largely been human-caused rather than sparked by lightning, per reporting by KOCO.
Charges and Legal Stakes
In addition to arson, Terrell faces a count of engaging in a pattern of criminal offenses, a separate Oklahoma statute that can bring fines or jail time on top of penalties for the underlying felonies, according to Oklahoma law. The state’s arson provisions vary in severity, and first-degree arson can carry prison terms of up to 35 years depending on the circumstances, per the state code at Title 21. The booking details and affidavit allegations were reported by News 9, and authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
