With the help of Army helicopters and the weather, firefighters are gaining ground on the wildfires that burned more than 1.3 million acres in western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle.
The Oklahoma Forestry Division reported Thursday that the major wildfires in the state are largely under control—95% of the OK Smokehouse fire in Ellis and Roger Mills Counties; 95% of the Slapout Fire in Beaver County and 81% of the 91,000 acre Catesby Fire in Ellis County.
The giant wildfire in the Texas Panhandle, according to the state forestry division is now under 39% control.
Army helicopters have been used in fighting the Texas fires, reported the Amarillo Globe-News. At least three Chinooks with water-dropping capability have been thrown into the battle since the weekend while a Black Hawk helicopter was used as a rescue ship for stranded victims and firefighters needing medical attention.
The fires have left at least three persons dead along with thousands of head of cattle.
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