Crews Battle Large Wildfire In Central Oklahoma

GUTHRIE, Okla. (AP) — Crews are battling a large wildfire in central Oklahoma near Guthrie that destroyed several homes as it raced through the parched landscape.

Guthrie Fire Department Chief Eric Harlow says the wildfire broke out Sunday when a controlled burn that began at about 4 p.m. got out of hand. He says that by 9 p.m., it had burned an estimated 4 to 6 square miles of land, as well as several homes.

Harlow says a 56-year-old man was found dead in his home Sunday night after the blazed passed through that area.

The American Red Cross set up a shelter for those affected by the fire at a church in Guthrie.

High winds and dry conditions fueled several wildfires in Oklahoma on Sunday.