Weather No Help As Wildfires Flare

Firefighters in southern Oklahoma say they hope air drops today can help them "get a handle on" destructive blazes.

An Oklahoma Forestry Department spokeswoman says the worst of the state's fires destroyed at least 20 homes. New crews are rotating in today to give others a rest.

A spokesman at the state's fire response center says at least eleven fires yesterday burned up to about 18,400 acres.

Blustery wind and extremely dry conditions — despite the snowfall earlier this week — have raised the fire threat.

A forecaster at the National Weather Service says there's almost no chance of precipitation over the next week. He says the fire danger will stay high at least through Tuesday.

Grass fires have killed two people and destroyed more than 220 homes and businesses since November First in Oklahoma alone. They've also threatened Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

The worst fires raged in southern Oklahoma near Ratliff City after burning through the homes overnight and west of Marlow, said Michelle Finch, fire information officer for the Oklahoma Forestry Department.

CBS News affiliate KWTV reports from Ratliff City that 750 homes in Carter County were evacuated, and residents moved to gymnasiums as dozens of fires burned nearly 20,000 acres.

In the town of Graham, 20 homes were destroyed by a four-mile wide blaze.

Firefighters were counting on four aircraft dropping fire retardant on the area Friday morning.

"We plan to put up air support again at first light and try to get a handle on it," Finch said, "and we'll rotate other firefighters in to give those who've been there a chance to rest."

As many as 18,406 acres burned statewide on Thursday and at least 11 fires were reported, said Cliff Eppler, an information officer for the state's fire response center. There were no reports of injuries, officials said.

In a group of towns about an hour's drive south of Oklahoma City, authorities evacuated more than 750 homes in Tatums, Fox, Clemscott and Graham, sending residents who needed shelters to gymnasiums in neighboring towns, officials said. Windy conditions were contributing to the spread of the fires, and shifting winds increased the danger.

"The conditions in Oklahoma now are so extremely dry it's hard for me to believe that anybody would not be aware of it," said fire information officer Richard Reuse.

There is little if any chance of precipitation in the seven-day forecast, according to National Weather Service meteorologist John Pike. He said the fire danger will remain high through at least Tuesday.

"We're supposed to be in winter, but it doesn't look like any winter weather is coming," Pike said.

In Oklahoma alone, grass fires have destroyed more than 220 homes and businesses and killed two people since Nov. 1. Wildfires have also menaced Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

In northern Texas, firefighters were battling a blaze that had consumed at least 4,000 acres and was threatening eight homes about 100 miles west of Dallas, the Texas Forest Service said.