A series of wildfires is sweeping across the Great Plains, with the massive Ranger Road Fire burning an area nearly twice the size of Chicago, and firefighters battling over a dozen blazes that have forced evacuations and destroyed structures.
Dangerous wildfire conditions continued across the Great Plains for a third straight day Thursday, with the massive Ranger Road Fire burning an area nearly twice the size of Chicago after spreading from Oklahoma into southern Kansas. Firefighters are battling more than a dozen blazes that have forced evacuations and destroyed structures.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a state of emergency Wednesday, which was expanded on Thursday, in response to the fires. The Texas Panhandle’s Lavender and 8 Ball fires have scorched more than 18,000 acres.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that Texas has been approved for a federal grant to help cover the costs of responding to the fire. “Texas continues to work around the clock to provide all necessary resources to those affected by the 8 Ball Fire,” said Abbott.
Red flag conditions are expected to continue for the western parts of Oklahoma and Texas Friday. Conditions in Kansas are expected to improve. Despite the wildfires, there have been minimal reports of poor air quality surrounding the blazes.
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