Cost of grass fires continues to mount

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State officials began the arduous task of assessing the cost of weeks of wildfires Monday.<br/><br/>Governor Brad Henry says the head of the state's Division of Forestry estimates

Monday, January 16th 2006, 4:48 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State officials began the arduous task of assessing the cost of weeks of wildfires Monday.

Governor Brad Henry says the head of the state's Division of Forestry estimates his agency is spending an average of more than $100,000 a day to battle wildfires.

Henry says the estimate does not include expenses incurred by local fire departments and other local, state and federal agencies involved in the firefighting effort.

Wildfires have scorched almost 414,000 acres, destroyed more than 250 homes and businesses and claimed two lives since November 1st.

Meanwhile, a cold front and higher humidity Monday gave firefighters a much-needed break from battling fields of flames and red-hot embers.