Those strong winds that smacked Oklahoma on Sunday were fierce enough to bring down power poles and power lines, blocking Interstate 35 in Norman and other streets around the central part of the state. They also helped fuel dangerous wildfires in the state. Thousands were left without power.
Wind gusts reached 65 miles per hour and fueled more than a dozen wildfires throughout the state, creating large challenges for firefighters. One of the largest was a 5,000 acre wildfire between the towns of Fairfax and Hominy in the northeast part of the state.
Oklahoma Gas and Electric reported at least 11,500 customers were without power as of early Sunday afternoon. Late in the afternoon, it posted a statement…