The New York Times
Firefighting Help Requested
Gov. Brad Henry cut short a vacation and returned to Oklahoma City to oversee state and local efforts to combat grass fires that have plagued parts of his state and North Texas this week. Mr. Henry authorized the state agriculture secretary, Terry Peach, to request 14 firefighting teams from other states, and the state has been approved for some federal aid. Unusually dry conditions, strong winds and high temperatures are expected to last into next week. The Department of Emergency Management attributes one death in the state to the fires and estimates that 30,000 acres have been burned and more than 80 homes and businesses destroyed in 22 counties since Tuesday.