Oklahoma flags at half-staff to honor firefighter killed in line of duty

Kevin Stitt has ordered all flags statewide to be lowered after an Oklahoma firefighter died on duty while stopping a wildfire earlier this week. The order, which applies to all flags on state-owned property, came on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to honor Joe Flake , a volunteer firefighter in Wellston, Oklahoma. “After a lifetime of hard work, Joe Flake chose to give back to his community by serving alongside the Wellston Fire Department,” Stitt said in a news release. “His commitment to helping his neighbors and his willingness to answer the call reflect the very best of Oklahoma. Sarah and I are praying for Joe’s family and the entire Wellston community during this difficult time.” Stitt asks that all flags remain lowered to half-staff from Wednesday, Sept. 9, until sunset on Friday, Sept.

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Scoop News Deska volunteer firefighter in Wellston, Oklahoma · Published Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 2:29 PM UTCUpdated Friday, September 11, 2026 at 9:58 AM UTC

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They announced later that day that Flake died from his injuries. "It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of a Wellston firefighter, whose life was lost yesterday while battling a large fire," Lincoln County Emergency Management said on Facebook. "Please keep the Wellston Fire Department, the fallen firefighter’s family and friends, agencies on scene that assisted, and all those affected in your thoughts and prayers." Flake joined the fire department about four months ago, according to the Wellston Fire Department.

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