Wildfires rage across Great Plains as dangerous fire weather persists

Dangerous fire weather conditions continued across the Great Plains for a third straight day.

(CNN)- Dangerous fire weather conditions continued across the Great Plains for a third straight day Thursday, as firefighters battled more than a dozen wildfires that have scorched tens of thousands of acres and forced evacuations.

The largest blaze, known as the Ranger Road Mega-Fire, ignited Tuesday in Oklahoma before spreading into southern Kansas. Officials say the fire has burned an area nearly twice the size of Chicago.

Another wildfire in Woodward, Oklahoma destroyed multiple structures. Fire crews managed to save one home after stopping the flames just inches from the building.

Additional fires have sparked across the region, including the Lavender and 8-Ball fires in the Texas Panhandle. High winds and dry conditions have made containment efforts more difficult.

“The wind in our minds for any firefighter is the devil,” said Sandy Lynn Childress, City Secretary of Howardwick. “Right now again the winds are high. We’re expected to have high winds in the next couple of days.”

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Lavender Fire had burned more than 18,300 acres as of Thursday evening.

Authorities continue urging residents in affected areas to follow evacuation orders and stay alert as crews work to contain the flames.