Wildfire threat curbs welding in Oklahoma and parts of Texas

The threat of spreading wildfires caused the governor of Oklahoma and officials in several counties in Texas to order bans on outdoor welding and torch cutting, other "hot works" operations and such activities as the discharging of fireworks.

Besides Oklahoma's governor, officials such as the commissioners of Travis and Wise counties, Texas, and a county judge in Tarrant County ordered such activities be stopped for an indeterminate period of time.

Wildfires have swept portions of Texas and Oklahoma, and other western states.