The departure of a storm will promote improving conditions over the southernPlains today. That is welcome news after devastating blazes whipped throughTexas and Oklahoma on Thursday.The potency of the storm on Thursday caused the winds to gust up to near 75mph. The winds rapidly spread wildfires across the tinder-dry southern Plains.

The blazes consumed numerous homes and acres of land.

With the storm to the east, less wind will howl over western Texas today.

Wind gusts up to 30 mph are still anticipated over Oklahoma and neighboringparts of Texas through the midday hours. While not as strong as Thursday, thesewinds could still cause some problems for firefighters battling existingblazes. Winds will turn calmer this afternoon.

Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski