WINDS FUEL GRASS FIRES IN STATE

Crews were battling grass fires Thursday across east and central Oklahoma spread by high winds.

Meanwhile, state Emergency Management officials activated the state Emergency Operations Center to deal with the fires.

Harper, Le Flore, Nowata, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Pawnee and Pittsburg counties were among those affected. There were no reports of injuries or damage, but some evacuations were seen.

Oklahoma City fire crews fought an estimated 13 fires Thursday, officials said. In Tulsa, several fire crews reported heavy smoke and warned travelers not to approach fire lines. Voluntary evacuations were in place for a couple of Owasso areas.

About 2:15 p.m., firefighters closed a state highway near Kaw Lake. A separate fire in Pawnee County prompted some evacuations there.