Wildfire outlook increases; Caution is urged with outdoor burning.
By Brian Sargent
The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)
Copyright 2007 The Oklahoman, All Rights Reserved
OKLAHOMA CITY — The potential for wildfires in Oklahoma will be very high today and Tuesday, said a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norman.
Sunday, fires crews in the Oklahoma City area battled several wildfires, including one that charred about 150 acres in southwest Norman.
On Wednesday, the fire danger is predicted to be moderate, said weather service forecaster Bruce Thoren. The fire outlook increases to high on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Relative humidities in parts of Oklahoma this week are predicted to be about 20 percent, with winds nearing 20 mph, creating likely conditions for wildfires, Thoren said.
Parts of central and eastern Oklahoma may receive rain Friday and Saturday. Chances for rain in those areas will be 20 to 30 percent, Thoren said.
Because of record drought conditions, Oklahoma has been under some form of burn ban 11 of the last 17 months.
The most recent burn ban in Oklahoma was lifted in December.
“Oklahomans must still use common sense when they are involved with any type of outdoor burning,” said Gov. Brad Henry when the ban was lifted. “If conditions merit ... I will not hesitate to reinstate the burn ban to protect lives and property in our state.”
Crew busy Sunday
About 12:40 p.m. Sunday, 20 Norman firefighters from four stations fought a blaze between the South Canadian River and Shadowridge Drive, west of Interstate 35. The fire burned about 150 acres before firefighters extinguished the flames nearly four hours later.
In Oklahoma City, crews responded Sunday afternoon to a grass fire between Stanley Draper Drive and SE 119 Street, a few hundred yards west of Lake Stanley Draper. Nearly five acres burned.
No structures burned and no one was injured, fire Maj. Craig Rolke said.
The fire’s cause was not known.