OKLAHOMA CITY — Firefighters across several southern Plains states battled grass fires, with the largest blazes Friday consuming more than 80 square miles in Oklahoma and forcing some residents to evacuate their homes.
Wind gusts of more than 50 mph had died down by Friday, but the state’s low humidity and high temperatures still posed a significant fire threat. Officials implored residents to avoid burning outdoors, as new fires could strain emergency personnel who were already stretched thin from fighting fires overnight.