CHEYENNE, Wyoming (AP) -- A wildfire that has burned four mountaintop cabins threatened hundreds of other houses in Wyoming on Thursday, while a firefighter died fighting a blaze in Utah.
"We have lots of displaced people," said Vince Mazzier, spokesman for the federal management team that's directing the firefighting efforts. "And of course, they're always concerned about what's going on with their homes."
The blaze was more than 30 percent contained, although it grew overnight to well over 11,000 acres -- more than 17 square miles -- by Thursday evening.
In Utah, a firefighter died while battling a 250-acre fire in a rugged canyon above Oak City. The fire was started by lightning just before midnight Tuesday in the Canyon Mountains and has burned pinon, juniper and brush across more than a third of a square mile.
The other firefighters were pulled off the mountain after the death, officials said.
Sheriff Robert Dekker said investigators still were at the scene late Thursday and the body was still on the mountain.
In southern Oklahoma, a wildfire forced authorities to close 15-mile sections of two highways near the Arbuckle Mountains. Officials estimated the fire in the sparsely populated area had burned more than 100 acres in about six hours.
In Wyoming, people in hundreds of homes on Casper Mountain, located in the central part of the state, and surrounding areas have been told to evacuate since the lightning-sparked fire was reported Monday. There were no reports of injuries.
Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who toured the fire with State Forester Bill Crapser, said Thursday would likely be a critical day, citing how quickly winds can whip up on the mountain this time of year.
"It reflects how unpredictable the circumstances are here," Freudenthal said.
Crapser said the fire burned around some homes but officials were concerned that if it gets into canyons, it would be able to hook around and start new runs in developed areas.
"The wind is just howling up here," Crapser said. "We've got red flag warnings up here today."
Crapser said weather forecasters were calling for cooler conditions on Friday, which should help battle the blaze. "I guess we'll say we're guardedly optimistic," he added.
As the fire threatened her home, Heather Carter packed a tea cup from her great uncle, her chef's knife, a cookbook and a "lot of shoes."
Then she realized she was missing the ashes of her dog, Zoe, who recently died.
"I didn't want her to burn twice," Carter told the Casper Star-Tribune.
Dennis Polk grabbed photographs and important documents before heading to a hotel.
"Tomorrow is another day," he said. "We're just wondering when we will be able to get back to go home or if there will actually be a something to go home to."