Agricultural News
Drought Conditions Fuel the Flame - High Temps, Wind Raise Alarm for Fire Danger in Dry Northwest
Thu, 12 Apr 2018 14:54:32 CDT
Drought conditions across Oklahoma this week are little changed from last, according to the latest Drought Monitor. Dry conditions, especially in western Oklahoma are contributing substantially to the level of current fire danger in the state. Gary McManus, Oklahoma’s state climatologist, says high temperatures and winds over the next few days will continue to exacerbate these conditions.
McManus says Oklahoma’s first look at triple-digit temperatures may occur here on Thursday probably in and around the drought-stricken western half of the state. These temperatures will be followed up by another cold snap and a hard freeze to a large part of the state over the weekend.
Looking ahead, McManus says until it rains the threat of fire danger will continue with mass amounts of fuel just waiting for a spark. Unfortunately, short term forecasts remain dry.
Currently in Oklahoma, 58 percent of the state is in abnormally dry conditions, 47 percent moderate conditions, 42 percent severe, 34 percent extreme and 18 percent in exceptional drought. Practically the entire area of dry conditions in the state is concentrated on the western half of the state.
For a closer look at the latest Drought Monitor map, click here. To read this week’s Mesonet Ticker report, click here.
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