WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Wind-whipped wildfires destroyed at least five houses and forced hundreds of residents to be evacuated Sunday in southern Colorado, said local U.S. authorities.

    Two fires had burned over 5,400 acres (2,160 hectares) in Huerfano and Las Animas counties.

    Gale-force winds which whipped the region prevented authorities from using airplanes to drop slurry on the fires, said Pam Martinez of the Huerfano County Sheriff's office.

    Besides Colorado, dry weather, high temperatures and strong winds have spread dozens of wildfires across the U.S. states of Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico over the past two weeks. The blazes have left at least five people dead and 475 homes destroyed.

    In southern Oklahoma, firefighters were trying to tame one wildfire that had charred about 900 acres (360 hectares) near Coalgate, officials said.

    In Texas, more than 60 wildfires were reported across the state Sunday, but most were relatively small.

    Burn bans in the state and increased firefighting equipment have helped firefighters to control the blazes, a Forest Service fire information officer said. Enditem