Updates on Oklahoma wildfires

Updating yesterday's story on the blog, here are additional news reports from Sunday morning about the Oklahoma wildfires. Certain of the fires are not too far from Oklahoma City, but they are not near Elliot's area and there has been no word from the mission office.






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Wildfires raging in Oklahoma

Wildfires that began Thursday and Friday continue to rage across central and western Oklahoma, as temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees for 19 consecutive days. It reminds me of my experience in the late 1990s as I attempted to drive to Oklahoma City from Ponca City in northern Oklahoma. I had to detour nearly to Tulsa to avoid a wall of flame that stretched for many miles across the central part of the state. High temperatures and drought conditions have created ideal conditions for these fires.

Several pictures, news stories and videos are posted below. We've heard nothing from Elliot's mission office but will post again if we do. Based on the news reports we have seen, the area where Elliot is currently assigned does not appear to have been affected.

Dozens of homes destroyed in Oklahoma wildfires

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Fires destroy houses across the state Friday



Oklahoma wildfires: Homes burned, residents evacuate as more than a dozen fires burn in Oklahoma

Wildfires raging in Oklahoma City and north Texas

The unrelenting heat and extreme drought conditions have combined to create dangerous fire conditions all around Elliot in Oklahoma and Texas.  There are numerous reports (see the links below) of fires in and around Oklahoma City and Edmond and in north Texas.  Sadly, many homes and other structures, including the Harrison Bethel Baptist Church in northeastern Oklahoma City (see video below), have been destroyed.  Our prayers go out to those affected by the fires.  If any of the missionaries are affected, the mission president will undoubtedly post something on his blog.

Oklahoma news reports

Wildfire forces evacuations in southeast Oklahoma City

Fire flare-ups continue Wednesday; dozens of homes destroyed

Edmond warns residents near wildfires to evacuate

Texas news reports

Area fires break out

Possum Kingdom Lake wildfire destroys homes, resort facilities


Video reports

Strong winds fed wildfires in Oklahoma that have destroyed homes and forced the shutdown of part of Interstate 40. NBC's Aditi Roy reports.




Firefighters in Texas work to contain wildfires that have destroyed dozens of homes. KXAS-TV’s Scott Gordon reports.




Wildfires burned the Harrison Bethel Baptist Church building early Wednesday, August 31, 2011.