HARRAH, Okla., March 13 (UPI) -- Wildfires that raced across central Oklahoma left 15 people injured, dozens of homes destroyed and thousands of acres burned, officials said.
The Oklahoman reported Saturday the injuries appeared to be minor and no dollar estimate was available for the damage caused by the blazes. The destruction included at least 34 homes, the newspaper said. CNN reported more than 40 homes had been destroyed statewide.
Despite the toll, Michelann Ooten of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said after touring the affected areas "it could have been much, much worse."
"However, if you are one of those looking at your home that has been reduced to rubble, it probably doesn't feel that way," she said.
Fire officials said there were at least 42 fires reported in the state Friday but most were contained by Saturday. Calmer winds and higher humidity helped firefighters control the blazes, the newspaper said. The largest was in Hughes County where more than 3,500 acres had been blackened.
A state of emergency remained in effect for all 77 counties a day after the declaration was issued by Gov. Mary Fallin.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all Oklahomans who have been impacted by these fires," Fallin said in a prepared statement after visiting fire-stricken Harrah. "We know homes, as well as other property, have been lost and we will work to do everything we can to help Oklahomans during their time in need."
