Oklahoma fires continue to burn - Day 3

kfor.com

2:02 p.m. CDT, September 1, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Hot spots and embers continue to cause problems on day three of the OKC grass fires that have burned at least 4,000 to 6,000 acres of land. As of Thursday afternoon, fire crews say they have contained an 18-square-mile area of the North OKC grass fire.

As of Wednesday evening, the South OKC grass fire was contained by crews say with our state's unpredictable weather, flare ups could happen at any time.

Thursday brought a new tool in the blazing battle, bulldozers.

Crews says they are a great help in the hard-to-reach burning areas.

The Army National Guard is on stand-by with helicopters ready to drop water on the raging blaze is necessary.

OG&E workers are in some of the affected areas, working to restore power, installing lines again.

Officials with Oklahoma County Emergency Management said part of the reason these grass fires have been such insatiable monsters is because of their locations.

The area around 63rd St. and Sooner Rd. is on well water so getting enough water to put our the blaze, or even to keep it from spreading, has been a chore.

Other catalysts, the winds, extreme heat and the dry vegetation.

Fire officials say their crews will be out fighting the flames all day and probably into the night as well.

OK Co. Emergency Management will brief the media again at 5 p.m.

The OK County Commissioner and fraud teams are out in the affected areas assisting those who have lost so much in these fires.