Sheriff: Arson a Possibility in Deadly Oklahoma Wildfire

Authorities are investigating the possibility of arson in connection with one of two large wildfires burning in Oklahoma, a blaze that’s resulted in the death of one person.

Dewey County Sheriff Clay Sander said that one person has been questioned, but not arrested, about a fire that began April 12 near Vici, about 110 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.

That fire merged with a fire that began near Leedey and has burned about 452 square miles.

Sander said he’s asked the state Department of Food, Forestry and Agriculture for arson investigators to determine the cause of the fire.

Sander has said the fire is blamed for the death of a woman found inside her burned vehicle. A second person died in a separate wildfire in the state.

Rainfall is aiding firefighters’ efforts to contain the two major wildfires in Oklahoma that together have charred 550 square miles.

Forestry officials reported progress Saturday on the two largest wildfires burning in western Oklahoma as weather forecasts estimated up to 1 inch of rain could fall in the area.

Officials said the Rhea Fire in Dewey County was nearly 30 percent contained Saturday. The blaze has charred about 452 square miles. The 34 Complex fire in Woodward County is nearly 70 percent contained and has burned 97 square miles.