Oklahoma Wildfire: Over 1000 Evacuated, One Dead Near Guthrie
An Oklahoma wildfire has killed one person and has required over 1,000 others to evacuate their homes. According to CNN, the fire began as a controlled burn, but quickly turned into a fast-moving wildfire, which has already destroyed at least 20 homes.
MSN stated that the wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon near Guthrie, and, due to unseasonable weather conditions, grew quickly. By 9 p.m., the wildfire had reportedly burned an estimated 4-6 square miles of land.
Guthrie Fire Chief Eric Harlow told reporters that the fire did begin as a controlled burn “on at least one property,” though he was not sure who was conducting the burn or what exactly was being burned. This fire, along with several others, has reportedly been fueled by unseasonably high temperatures and windy conditions.
“They got three ingredients for a bad fire: high temperatures, high winds and low humidity,” said Daryl Williams with the National Weather Service in Norman.
According to USA Today, the fire is 75 percent contained on the south, west, and east, though still threatens at least 150 homes to the north.
“With the wind conditions expected to pick up throughout the morning and afternoon, we still have some concerns,” Harlow told reporters Sunday night.
According to NewsOK, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has partnered up with the following agencies to try to contain the Oklahoma wildfire: The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division, the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief.
So far, only one fatality has been connected to the wildfire. According to NewsOK, the individual died in his home as the fire overtook it Sunday night. The deceased man has only been identified as being 56-years-old.
One fatality reported in southern Logan Co wildfires. 56 yr old male found deceased inside his home.
— Edmond Fire Dept. (@EdmondFire) May 5, 2014
USA Today has reported that at least 1,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, though reports are now saying that more may be required to evacuate if the weather doesn’t improve. According to MSN, winds are expected to gust between 36 and 39 mph through Wednesday, which could fuel the fires further, though some relief may be in store come Wednesday with a chance of rain.
[fb link=”https://www.facebook.com/edmondfire/posts/778554218822364?] Edmond Fire Department Sunday Facebook Post[/fb]
[fb link=”https://www.facebook.com/edmondfire/posts/778848378792948?] Edmond Fire Department Updated Facebook Post[/fb]
[Image via NBC Nightly News Twitter Feed]
