<font color=red>Grass fires cause evacuations</font>

April 09, 2009 05:32 pm

— According to radio traffic and Associated Press reports, grass fires in Carter County are forcing the evacuation of residents along State Highway 7 Thursday afternoon.
Radio traffic also reports the town of Davis is being evacuated at this time. Reports to the Ada Evening News have said parts of Sulphur were being evacuated.
The Associated Press reports Interstate 35 has been closed in Payne County in north-central Oklahoma because of a large wind-whipped grass fire.
Yet another grass fire was reported in central Oklahoma's Lincoln County, forcing some evacuations south of the Turner Turnpike and about 2 miles south of Wellston.
Fires are also being fought near Oil Center.
So far, there are no reports of injuries.
The windy conditions are occurring while the eastern half of the state is under a tornado watch. Winds gusted to more than 50 mph in Oklahoma City.
High wind warnings and red flag warnings, meaning extreme fire danger, covered much of the western half of the state.
The National Weather Service says there is an enhanced risk for severe weather in the far northeast corner of the state.
Ada Evening News will have a full report in Friday's edition.

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