Wildfires spurred by strong southerly winds destroyed homes and forced highway shut downs Friday in the drought-hit rural woodlands of Oklahoma, Reuters reported.

Fire fighters struggled to contain the fire that rapidly spread engulfing homes and parches of woods.

According to the emergency service officials, at least 65 homes were destroyed in 11 different wildfires in parched areas north and south of Oklahoma City and south of Tulsa, a Reuters report said.

The state has been battling the drought and temperature hovering above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature in Oklahoma City Friday reached 113 Fahrenheit (45 Celsius), the highest ever recorded in the city. The same temperature was recorded only in 1936 before.

Hundreds of people were told to evacuate from the affected areas, and Interstate 44, historic Route 66 and two state highways were partly closed because of the smoke and fire.

"Low humidity, strong southerly winds and drought conditions enabled the wildfires to spread quickly across treetops. It's just a very difficult situation we're facing that's all weather related," Michelann Ooten, deputy director of the state's Office of Emergency Management, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"A man refused to leave. From what I know, he wanted to protect his property, but your life has to be more valuable than property," John Whetsel, Oklahoma County Sheriff, told AP.

Several states are plagued by wildfires and severe droughts this summer and many states, including Texas, Kansas and Arkansas, are on heat alert.

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