grass fires tear across Okla.
Grass fires tear acrossOklahoma
5March 2006
A wildfire in southwestern Oklahoma destroyed at least 30 homes and forced the evacuation of two schools, a nursing home and areabusinesses. The fire was one of several fueled by gusty winds and high temperatures. Seven firefighters were injured while fighting theblazes. Two firefighters suffered severe burns. One was in critical condition, and another was in satisfactorycondition.
Other fires burned in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and blazes were reported near Wagoner and Sallisaw in easternOklahoma. Hot and dry conditions continue to fuel the flames. The fires came ahead of an approaching weather system that kicked up winds out of the south at 20 to 25 mph with higher gusts. Temperatures on Wednesday shattered records for March 1 in Oklahoma City, where it hit 92 degrees, and Tulsa, where it reached 93 degrees. Conditions were expected to be similar on Thursday.
Three firefighters were reported injured while battling a blaze near Chandler that destroyed at least fourstructures. Firefighters were able to control the fire at times, but it moved too rapidly toextinguish.
In Broken Arrow, one firefighter inhaled smoke and another sustained minor burns while helping suppress a possible arson blaze that charred about 300acres
In neighboring Tulsa, a lit cigarette is believed to have started a fire that blackened 300 to 500acres.. One barn was destroyed, and four other structures were threatened.
Also Wednesday, a fire burned on parched grassland in northeast New Mexico, forcing a daylong evacuation of about 100 people in a small farming and ranching community. They were allowed back in the evening.
Meanwhile, a fast-moving prairie fire scorched about 23,000 acres in Colorados Yuma County. Up to six buildings were burned and four firefighters were injured before the blaze burned itselfout. The extent of the firefighters injuries was not immediately known.
(source: OSEI)
