HOUSTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Brad Henry, the governor of Oklahoma, on Friday declared a state of emergency for 31 counties where wildfires and severe weather caused widespread damage.

    The declaration came Friday, a day after wildfires injured at least 49 people and destroyed 100 homes. Sections of east Oklahoma County, including Midwest City, Choctaw and Nicoma Park, were especially hard hit.

    Under his executive order, state agencies may make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to speed up the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

    More counties can be added to the order as additional information becomes available.

    Grass and trees continue to burn in southeast Oklahoma City on Friday, firefighters are still fighting fires all day long.

    Meanwhile, officials are continuing assessing the damage that has left hundreds of people homeless.

One Oklahoma fire believed intentionally set

    HOUSTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A blaze that destroyed more than 50 homes in the Oklahoma City suburb of Midwest City was believed to be intentionally set by a group of teenagers, local media reported Friday.

    Local media quoted Midwest City Fire Marshal Mike Lojka as saying that some teenagers were observed in the area where the fire began Thursday afternoon near a wrecker service and they were believed to have started it.  Full story

Six Tornadoes hit eastern Oklahoma, at least 4 injured

    HOUSTON, April 9 (Xinhua) -- At least six tornadoes were reported Thursday night in the U.S. State of Oklahoma, injuring at least four people.

    The first tornado was reported at about 6:20 p.m. local time four miles (6.4 km) east of Vinita in Craig County, damaging roofs and snapping at least two power lines near a transformer, according to weather service.  Full story

Tornado kills at least three in U.S. state of Arkansas

    HOUSTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and about 30 were injured Thursday night when a tornado struck a "direct hit" on a town in the U.S. state of Arkansas, officials said Friday.

    The twister roared through Mena, a small town in western Arkansas with a population of some 5,600, shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday. Half of the injuries were serious, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management said.  Full story