By Friday afternoon, nearly 75,000 Oklahomans were without power, eight fire warnings had been issued, and several evacuations were ordered.

Meanwhile, dust storms spurred by high winds claimed almost a dozen lives on Friday. Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo, in the Texas Panhandle.

Drought and extreme winds across Oklahoma mean perfect conditions for wildfires to start and spread. By mid-day Friday, dozens of fires were burning across the state, prompting evacuations, taking out power and making travel hazardous.

Hundreds of homes were destroyed as wildfires swept across Oklahoma, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders.

Wind-driven wildfires in Oklahoma have killed at least four people and resulted in 142 others being taken to local hospitals with fire-related injuries, the state's Department of Emergency Management said Sunday.