OFS Urges Continued Caution During High Fire Danger

A Red Flag Warning was issued at 2:58 p.m. Monday, April 3, until 11 p.m. April 4, by the National Weather Service in Norman.

Additionally, Oklahoma Forestry Services is urging Oklahomans to use extreme caution in the face of ominous fire weather. Hazardous conditions cover a large part of Oklahoma now through Wednesday.

Tuesday will see a particularly dangerous fire environment brought on by drought-impacted wildland fuels. This fire weather system will be similar to what Oklahoma experienced last Friday. Any new wildfires will likely spread very rapidly and be much harder for crews to fight.

The relative risk has been identified through intensive coordination between OFS and National Weather Service offices that serve Oklahoma. The probability of both significant fires (greater than 5,000 acres) and wildfire outbreaks (high number of fires that present life-threatening potential) has pushed into the “high potential” category in the northwestern quarter of Oklahoma.

Numerous fires burning hundreds to thousands of acres are anticipated. Potential is limited for fire burning tens of thousands of acres because of lower fuel loading.

This threat is compounded by the number of fires that occurred starting Friday in northern and northeastern Oklahoma that still require firefighters to contain them. OFS is urging all Oklahomans to:

• Avoid all activities that may spark a wildfire.

• Report fires to 911 immediately.

• Evacuate as informed by law enforcement and emergency responders.

• Monitor for Fire Warnings issued for Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) wildfire incidents.

Fire suppression resources, including personnel, engines, and dozers, are being prepositioned in Woodward, Weatherford, Bartlesville, and Guthrie.

Oklahoma Forestry Services is the state’s lead wildland firefighting agency. For wildfire information, county burn ban resolutions, and the Oklahoma “Wildfire Situation Report” visit forestry.ok.gov.