Hundred of homes destroyed by grass fires in Oklahoma

HOUSTON, April 9 (Xinhua) -- About 100 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged in Midwest City, in the south-central U.S. state of Oklahoma, media reports said Thursday.

Firefighters have stopped battling individual house fires and are concentrating on grass fires, hoping to contain the grassfires before they catch any more homes on fire, fire department spokesman Jerry Lojka told local TV.

"This is probably the worst disaster in Midwest City's history, even worse than the May 3rd, 1999 tornadoes," police chief Brandon Clabes said.

"I don't think we're going to have these fires out anytime soon. They're out of control," Clabes said, adding the fires are rekindling as quickly as they can be put out because of the high winds.

Source : http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/10/content_11162479.htm


Fire Damage "Worse Than May 3rd"


KSBI News

Story Created: Apr 9, 2009 at 6:24 PM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 9, 2009 at 9:45 PM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, April 9, 2009, 9:45 p.m.

Authorities in Lindsay say at least 11 homes have been destroyed in a fire burning along State Highway 76.

Purcell Emergency Management officials say 12 to 15 square miles were burned.

OHP reports several roads are still closed in southern Oklahoma including State Highway 76 from Ratliff City to Healdton in Carter County, I-35 from Exit 51 to Exit 55 and State Highway 7 from I-35 to Hennepin in Murray County and State Highway 74 from State Highway 7 to State Highway 29 in Garvin County.

Residents in Velma are now being allowed to return to their homes.

Updated: Wednesday, April 9, 2009, 8:54 p.m.

Fires continue to burn in Choctaw. Parents searching for their children should go to shelters set up at 2nd and Main St., the downtown library or the Junior High auditorium at 3rd and Main.

A shelter has been set up at Eastland Hills Baptist Church at SE 29th and Hiwassee Road. The New Community Church at I-40 and Anderson road is also taking evacuees.

Purcell officials have set up a shelter at the fire department at 1505 N. Green Ave.

Updated: Wednesday, April 9, 2009, 7:55 p.m.

Midwest City fire crews say about 100 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged in Midwest City. Firefighters have reportedly stopped fighting individual house fires to concentrate on getting grass fires contained. Midwest City Police officials say this is probably the worst disaster in the city's history, even worse than the May 3, 1999 tornadoes. So far, no serious injuries have been reported.

Updated: Wednesday, April 9, 2009, 6:50 p.m.

Fires have burned across the state forcing numerous evacuations.

Oklahoma City residents between SE 120th and SE 149th from Anderson Road to Henney Road are being evacuated to the north and west of that area.

Midwest City Residents from SE 15th to NE 10th have been asked to evacuate to the Midwest Community Center at 100 N. Midwest Blvd. Residents can also go to the Choctaw Library.

Residents in Grady County between Bradley and Lindsay are being asked to go to Alex School.

Residents between the Grady County/Garvin County line and Lindsay are being asked to evacuate east to Lindsay.

Several homes in Meridian in Stephens County, along with a nursing home and animal hospital have been evacuated.

Homes have burned near Wellston and the town of Sparks was evacuated late Thursday afternoon.

A large grass fire shut down parts of Interstate 35 near Highway 51. At last check, that fire was burning about 25 miles wide.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has advice for those driving near the fires that are sparking across the state.

Captain Chris West with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is advising drivers to stay away from those areas. He says if you see smoke, head the other direction.

OHP officers are also doing what they can to help. They are located at numerous sites throughout Oklahoma.


Source : http://www.ksbitv.com/news/42773217.html


Wild Fires Across South Central Oklahoma

Multiple fires going on during KTEN News at 5 Thursday.

In Love County, evacuations started early Thursday afternoon on the western side of Oswalt Road... Near Wade and Pike Roads.

No structures burned yet, but there are some in danger. Another fire, two miles north of Marietta.

And two along Interstate 35, as well.

The situation in western Carter County is very serious, with an explosion at the Champion Chemical plant, and another at a propane distributor, also on fire.

We've also confirmed a fire in the Fox/Graham area... The Graham Fire Department itself caught on fire.

The First Baptist Church in Fox also burned.

KTEN's Meredith Saldana reported live on KTEN News at 5 on a big blaze in the Healdton area.


Source : http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=10160449