The National Weather Service issued a critical fire risk from the Texas Panhandle into Oklahoma, Kansas and western Missouri.
Firefighters are getting under control some of the fast-moving wildfires that have killed six people and scorched more than 1 million acres (400,000 hectares) from Colorado to Kansas, causing thousands of evacuations, officials said on Wednesday.
The threat of wildfires remained high in the U.S. Plains due to dry weather, strong winds and parched vegetation. The National Weather Service issued a critical fire risk from the Texas Panhandle into Oklahoma, Kansas and western Missouri.
In Texas, where four people have died in wildfires this week, three major fires have scorched about 500,000 acres (200,000 hectares) in the Panhandle. The biggest, the so-called Perryton fire, has burned 315,000 acres (127,500 hectares) and is 60 percent contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, which tracks the blazes.
"We have some high fire (risk) days coming ...," said Phillip Truitt, a specialist with the service, "So we're trying to get these fires buttoned up as fast as we can."
In Kansas, wildfires have scorched about 650,000 acres (263,000 hectares) in more than 20 counties, killing one person, forcing the evacuation of thousands and leading to significant livestock deaths, state officials said.
Six helicopters have been dispatched to drop water in remote areas and two more are on their way, they said.
"Complete damage estimates may take several weeks," the Kansas Adjutant General's Department said.
In Oklahoma, where one death was reported in local media, Governor Mary Fallin declared an emergency in 22 counties.
Eight people have been treated for breathing problems from wildfires in north and western Oklahoma that have scorched more than 500 square miles (1,300 square km), state officials said.
Firefighters battling a 30,000-acre (12,000-hectare) grassland fire in northeastern Colorado extended containment lines to 80 percent of its perimeter on Tuesday, officials said.
Five homes were torched, a spokeswoman for Phillips County official said.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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