The Latest: Forecasters warn of life-threatening wildfires

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Latest on wildfires in Oklahoma and the critical danger in the Southwest and Southern Plains (all times local):

12 p.m.

A U.S. Forest Service commander at one of two large wildfires in Oklahoma has warned firefighters to be careful as forecasters warn of dangerous, life-threatening wildfires in parts of the Southwest and Southern Plains.

Deb Beard on Tuesday said the forecast should “scare the hell out” of the firefighters in the area where fires have already killed at least two people and injured nine others.

The Storm Prediction Center says gusty winds and low humidity in drought-stricken areas will create dangerous fire conditions in parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. National Weather Service meteorologist Doug Speheger says such conditions haven’t been seen in at least a decade.

In Oklahoma, temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s and winds could gust to 40 mph (65 kph) or higher.

The largest of the Oklahoma fires has burned more than 384 square miles (994 sq. kilometers).

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6:26 a.m.

Forecasters are warning of dangerous, life-threatening wildfire conditions in parts of the Southwest and Southern Plains on Tuesday as firefighters in rural Oklahoma battle blazes that have killed at least two people.

In Oklahoma, temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s and winds could gust to 40 mph (65 kph) or higher. Officials say two people have died in the fires there and nine others have been injured.

The largest of the Oklahoma fires has burned more than 384 square miles (994 sq. kilometers).

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