Firefighters Hope Better Weather Will Aid Oklahoma Wildfire Fight

Firefighters are hoping higher humidity and milder winds will help them fight wildfires in Oklahoma, though conditions are critical in Arizona and New Mexico.

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Todd Schroeder said on April 19 that a fire near Leedey, about 110 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, that has burned about 440 square miles of land is about 15 percent contained.

A 106-square-mile blaze near Woodward, about 40 miles north of Leedey, is about 45 percent contained.

The Storm Prediction Center says the fire danger is extremely critical in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico because of low humidity and wind gusts of 45-55 mph.

Kansas officials say a fire that burned about 75 square miles earlier this week is largely extinguished.