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Dramatic video shows rescue from Oklahoma wildfire

More than 55,000 acres of farms and ranches have been charred after howling winds caused four wildfires to spread in Northwest Oklahoma
Wildfires raging in Oklahoma 01:53

WOODWARD COUNTY, Okla. --Fierce winds howling across the plains caused four wildfires to merge in northwest Oklahoma. More than 55,000 acres of farms and ranches have burned.

In Woodward County, more than 200 firefighters on the ground and in the air are trying to beat back flames shooting as high as 100 feet.

The fast-moving wildfire is being fanned by winds topping 40 miles per hour.

"This area has not had a soaking rain in over 100 days, and the fuels combined with the moisture are causing very erratic fire behavior," George Geissler from the Oklahoma Forestry Service told CBS News.

Val and Amy Castor of CBS affiliate KWTV were covering the fire when they spotted Jason Perks desperately trying to get his road grader out of a ditch.

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Woods County, Oklahoma employee Jason Perks runs to safety as a wildfire engulfs his road grader on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. KWTV

Perks, a Woods County transportation worker, was creating a fire line when flames swept in. He bailed from his vehicle just when the crew drove over to rescue him.

"He ran out of the tractor, came over, unlocked the door real quick, he jumped in and I slammed it in reverse and floored it, going in reverse," Val Castor said. "That's how fast those flames got to us."

The flames have scorched more than just the landscape -- Firefighters are assessing exactly how many structures have been lost. High winds and hot, dry weather remain in the forecast for Thursday.

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