Winds Fuel Fires South of Metro

Staff and Wire Reports

SLAUGHTERVILLE, Oklahoma -- High winds fueled wildfires south of the metro Friday afternoon.

A fire blazed a half-mile trail and threatened a few homes near Slaugtherville. Firefighters worked to put out hot spots from the fire near 108th Street and Maguire Road in Cleveland County. The blaze was close to being out, Cleveland County Emergency Management Director Dan Cary said about 2:45 p.m.

Further south, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol closed State Highway 74 in Garvin County because of a grass fire. The highway was closed at Antioch Road, 6 miles south of Maysville.

Another fire was threatening homes in southwest Oklahoma City. Firefigthers battled the blaze near S.W. 44 and County Line Road.

In Oklahoma City, Deputy Fire Chief Cecil Clay said conditions were ideal for feeding the fire, which was at least one-half mile wide.

"The winds are heavy and the grass is dry," Clay said. "(The conditions) are terrible."

Because the fire started along SW 44 Street, Clay said he suspects a discarded cigarette may have sparked the blaze.

In Creek County in northeast Oklahoma, parts of State Highway 51 were shut down due to a grass fire there.

No injuries or property damage were immediately reported in any of the fires.

And a fire near Mannford in northeastern Oklahoma destroyed an out-building early Friday evening. 

The fire burned right up along the driveway of a home before flames were able to be put out. National Guard Blackhawk helicopters were called out to help douse the flames and pour buckets of water around homes and buildings.

Crews from at least five departments were out on that blaze.

Related Story: High Risk Today for Wildfires