Part of Woodward County evacuated

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) – The Woodward County emergency manager has issued an evacuation order for a northeast area of the county as crews continue battling a large wildfire.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported on Monday night the fire has burned about 23,000 acres. The Woodward County emergency manager says crews have been working since 2 p.m. to put out the fire that as of 5 p.m. Monday had stretched to six and a half miles.

Woodward’s Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Todd Finley says crews from all surrounding counties are helping with the fire. Finley says high winds are causing the fire to spread farther north.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.