Better Weather Should Aid Oklahoma Wildfire Fight

One wildfire has burned 440 square miles

 

In this Tuesday, April 17, 2018, wind turbines dot the horizon of eastern Dewey County as heavy smoke from wildfires drift above a field west of Seiling, Okla., (Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman via AP)

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Firefighters are hoping higher humidity and milder winds will help them fight wildfires in Oklahoma, though conditions are critical in Arizona and New Mexico.

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Todd Schroeder said Thursday that a fire near Leedey, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) northwest of Oklahoma City, that has burned about 440 square miles (1140 sq. kilometers) of land is about 15 percent contained.

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A 106-square-mile (275 sq. kilometer) blaze near Woodward, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Leedey, is about 45 percent contained.

The Storm Prediction Center says the fire danger is extremely critical in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico because of low humidity and wind gusts of 45-55 mph (72-88 kph).

Kansas officials say a fire that burned about 75 square miles (194 sq. kilometers) earlier this week is largely extinguished.

All contents © copyright 2018 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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One wildfire has burned 440 square miles     OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Firefighters are hoping higher humidity and milder winds will help them fight wildfires in Oklahoma, though conditions are critical in Arizona and New Mexico. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Todd Schroeder said Thursday that a fire near Leedey, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) […]

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