The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center warned of "near historic" fire conditions in the Plains.

An outbreak of wildfires fueled by dry conditions and hurricane-force winds was rapidly spreading across the Texas Panhandle and parts of Oklahoma on Friday, prompting evacuations, wreaking havoc on the roads and leaving thousands without power.

Some towns have been evacuated due to nearby fires, while multiple roads are closed around the region – some due to near zero visibility triggered by sprawling dust storms; others due to smoke and flames from fast-moving wildfires.