Agricultural News
Fire Weather Watch in Effect in Oklahoma Panhandle Ahead of Developing Storms
Tue, 26 Oct 2021 10:34:05 CDT
Today: A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Cimarron and Texas Counties with likelihood of meeting Red Flag Warning criteria during the afternoon and early evening hours.
A dryline will form and push across the Oklahoma Panhandle and potentially into portions of western Oklahoma resulting in an uptick in fire danger ahead of a cold front bringing rain and storm chances during the evening and overnight hours. The highest fire danger indices will reside in the Oklahoma Panhandle where temperatures in the low-to-mid-80 F degrees.
Afternoon relative humidity values around 15% and mostly clear skies will yield fine-dead fuel moisture values at 4% with some locations observing 3%. Southwest winds sustained 20-27 mph with gusts at time in excess of 40 mph will drive potential for rapid rates of fire spread on any established fire. Rangeland fuels will exhibit head fire rates of spread 185-275 feet per minute. with flame lengths 14-16 feet. Areas where rangeland fuels have not been grazed or hayed may see somewhat more aggressive fire behavior.
Fire danger indices will also increase in portions of western Oklahoma, although rates of spread in rangeland fuels will generally be less than 200 feet per minute, offering good probabilities for successful initial attack.
Wednesday and Thursday: Fire danger will be conditional upon rainfall associated with storms developing Tuesday evening and overnight. Current forecast data indicates that areas west of may not receive areal wetting rainfall amounts. Unless wetting rainfall is realized, post-frontal dryness and stout northwest winds over drying fuels will present potential for elevated fire danger. Central and eastern Oklahoma is currently expected to receive wetting rainfall amounts dampening fire danger potential.
As of Monday, Oct. 25, there are no burn bans.
Keep up on the latest OK Fire Situation by clicking or tapping here. Check out this story from OSU on how to take a proactive approach to wildfire season in Oklahoma.
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