Oklahoma wildfires destroy homes

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Firefighters Saturday are attempting to contain 11 wildfires throughout Oklahoma that damaged dozens of homes and closed major roadways, officials said.

At least five of the fires are considered major, and Gov. Mary Fallin has announced a state-wide fire ban, The Oklahoman reported.

Turner Turnpike, which connects Oklahoma City with Tulsa, was closed for several hours because of billowing smoke for the second time in two days, the newspaper said.

Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel said about 25 homes and a daycare center in Luther were destroyed by a fire he believes was started by arson. He said witnesses reported seeing a person driving a black pickup truck with red lettering throwing a burning newspaper out of the vehicle.

Norman Fire Deputy Chief Jim Bailey said several homes in Cleveland County have been destroyed, affecting at least 17 families.

In Blaine County, a 2,000-acre fire that firefighters thought they had been contained picked up again due to high winds, The Oklahoman reported. At least two homes have been destroyed in that fire.

Fallin said she has requested assistance from neighboring states and is anticipating another day of battling wildfires Saturday as triple-digit temperatures persist throughout the weekend.