Damage assessments continued Friday, one day after fires raged through central Oklahoma, destroying homes and charring thousands of acres.
In Lincoln County, where large grass fires burned in Wellston and Sparks, at least six homes were destroyed and the damage assessments were continuing Friday afternoon.
In Pottawatomie County, thousands of acres burned Thursday, but there was no loss of homes.
A large grass fire burned four sections of land totaling about 2,000 acres near Saint Louis, while another fire in Macomb burned more than 400 acres.
Firefighters battled a large grass fire on the Pottawatomie/Cleveland County line near Slaughterville Road and that fire continued to burn Friday morning. By mid-afternoon, crews had that fire mostly under control; about 120 acres had burned on the Pottawatomie County side.
No injuries were reported here in Pottawatomie County, although one firefighter was reportedly injured Thursday in Lincoln County.
Wildfires burned all over Oklahoma Thursday. More than 100 houses were destroyed statewide and 49 people were injured, two seriously, by fires that scorched several areas of the state, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said.
Gov. Brad Henry has declared a state of emergency for 31 counties hit by wildfires and severe weather. The declaration allows state agencies to make emergency purchases to help speed resources to local jurisdictions. It also is the first step toward possibly seeking federal assistance.
Counties included in the order are Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kiowa, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, Love, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Stephens, Tillman, Washita. LeFlore County is also included because of a tornado Thursday night that injured four and damaged several homes.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.
Pottawatomie, County, Okla. —
