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Series of wildfires sweeps over three states

OKLAHOMA CITY - A rash of wildfires raged Sunday across Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, including one that burned several homes in northeastern Oklahoma City.

Several city residents were evacuated but no injuries were reported, fire Maj. Brian Stanaland said. Television images showed at least one large structure engulfed in flames.

At least a dozen wildfires continued to burn across Oklahoma onSunday evening, urged on by winds up to 50 mph and hot, dry weather. A large blaze near Guthrie threatened several homes, said Michelann Ooten, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

At least 20 fires sprang up in Texas, including an 8,000-acre blaze that threatened up to 200 homes near Carbon, about 125 miles west of Dallas. In Hobbs, N.M., a grass fire forced the evacuation of a casino, community college and neighborhoods.

High winds, record-high temperatures and droughtlike conditions across much of the region have increased the fire danger to critical levels. Wildfires in Oklahoma and Texas last week ravaged more than 50,000 acres, destroyed nearly 100 homes and businesses and killed four people.

At least 15 grass fires burned in the metro area Sunday afternoon, consuming more than 100 acres, Stanaland said. "Today has been extremely intense," he said. "I think it's maybe starting to take its toll on our department."

Power lines sparked one grass fire in northeast Oklahoma City, and winds tossed material from a nearby construction site into power lines, causing the debris to burn before landing on a nursing home, Stanaland said.

[Last modified January 2, 2006, 02:30:25]