WOODWARD, Okla. - Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for 10 counties Wednesday due to wildfires and critical weather conditions. Meanwhile, in Woodward County four separate fires merged into one large blaze, dubbed the 350 Complex, that had burned more than 55,000 acres and at one point led authorities to issue voluntary evacuation orders for residents of Freedom and other people in the area.
An unknown number of structures have been destroyed, but no injuries or deaths have been reported. One firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.
More than 200 firefighters were battling the fire, according to Oklahoma Forestry Services. OFS' incident management team worked in unified command with Woodward Fire Department to fight the fire, firefighting task forces, heavy equipment and large air tankers.
High winds and low humidity hampered firefighters throughout the day Wednesday.
The 350 Complex fire started Tuesday by power lines downed and arced by winds that were sustained at 30 mph, with gusts more than 50 mph.
Wednesday afternoon, officials lifted voluntary evacuation orders, The Associated Press reported. Woodward County Emergency Management Director Matt Lehenbauer said regional orders to evacuate about 100 square miles of Woodward County were allowed to expire Tuesday night, according to The AP.