Fires kill four in US south

SEVERE drought, gusty winds and high temperatures set the stage for the fires in Texas and Oklahoma that killed four people. Authorities believe they were mostly set by people ignoring fire bans and burning rubbish, shooting fireworks or throwing out cigarettes.

The flames ripped across nearly 20,000 acres in the two states. At least 73 blazes were reported in Texas over two days, and dozens more broke out in Oklahoma.

While the wind and high temperatures eased after the outbreak of fires on Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicted a return of the hazardous conditions on Saturday - prompting fears that New Year's fireworks could spark another round of fires.

"It's not going to be a good day to throw up fireworks," meteorologist Alan Moller said. "This could lead to some really nasty fires."

Cross Plains, a working-class town about 115 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas, was the hardest-hit community, losing about 90 homes and a church. Two of the state's three deaths were reported there.

Texas Governor Rick Perry planned to survey the Cross Plains damage by air today.

Another woman died in Cooke County, near the Texas-Oklahoma border, after she apparently fell while helping her husband pour water on the grass around their house.

A fourth death was reported in Hughes County, Oklahoma.