Several wildfires are burning across the state

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — About 100 residents were allowed to return to their homes Friday after a wildfire burned in Oklahoma.

Several wildfires are burning in the state, including one in northeast Norman that led to those residents being evacuated. Norman Fire Chief Travis King said the fire began shortly before 1:30 p.m. near Lake Thunderbird and threatened 80 to 100 homes. It wasn’t immediately clear if any structures had been destroyed.

King said there were no injuries reported, but firefighters were not going home immediately.

“I think we’ll be well into the night, putting out hot spots,” he said.

Drew Daily with Oklahoma Forestry Services said officials are encouraging residents “to be vigilant, always report any hot spots or flare-ups.” Daily said forward progress of the fire had been stopped.

Mark Goeller, fire management chief for Forestry Services, said low humidity, strong winds and already-dry conditions contributed to numerous fires in the state Friday, including in Alfalfa and Garvin counties and near Shawnee and in the Sand Springs area. Pottawatomie County also had a fire, which led to Interstate 40 being closed about three hours Friday afternoon.

Forestry Services provided helicopters to drop water on the fires in Norman, about 20 miles south of Oklahoma City, and Alfalfa County. The agency sent four bulldozers and four brush pumpers to Norman to help clear the area and attack the flames.

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Sky 5: Large wildfire threatening homes near Norman