A deadly fire that burned through several square miles near Guthrie, Okla., and destroyed at least six homes was substantially contained Monday morning, but fire officials said they were worried that hot, dry and windy weather could cause the blaze to resume its dangerous march.
Some of the roughly 1,000 people who were evacuated on Sunday were allowed to return to the southern area of the fire, Guthrie Fire Chief Eric Harlow told the Los Angeles Times on Monday. But problems could still arise in the northern section because of the dry and windy weather forecast.
The wildfire is contained “for the most part,” about 75 percent, Harlow said. “I don’t trust that north side,” he said. “But we’re optimistic and hoping for the best.”
The blaze claimed one life, a 56-year-old man who refused to leave his home on Sunday. One firefighter sustained heat exhaustion and a resident had minor burns, the chief said.