Agricultural News
Tuesday, January 25, 2022, Fire Situation Report: Wildfire Activity Continues
Tue, 25 Jan 2022 11:45:20 CST
According to the latest Fire Situation Report from the Oklahoma Forestry Services, within the OFS Protection Area the Little Fourche Maline Fire in Latimer County has burned 123 acres and is 80% contained. The Weber Mountain Fire, also in Latimer County, has burned 213 acres and is 75% contained. Lastly, the Wilson Creek Fire in McCurtain County has burned 100 acres and is 70% contained.
Outside the OFS Protection Area, two fires burned a total of 140 acres in east-central Oklahoma. In southeastern Oklahoma, 14 fires burned a total of 50 acres.
Statewide Discussion: Lower temperatures behind a cold front are expected today. A chance of snow in the Panhandle and northwest Oklahoma this afternoon will serve to decrease fire behavior into tomorrow. Those snow chances (and some mixed precipitation) are expected to expand across most of Oklahoma on Wednesday with the highest probability in southwestern Oklahoma. Dry conditions will continue across most of the state today with continued initial attack activity expected with best fire environment alignment in southern and southeastern Oklahoma. Lower temperatures, improved relative humidity and light to moderate winds will support successful initial attack efforts.
Today: The highest fire danger indices today will develop across southern Oklahoma although moderated from previous days. Snow chances this afternoon, sky cover and a boost in relative humidity will mitigate fire concerns in the Panhandle and northwestern counties. While dry conditions are expected today across the northern half of Oklahoma, increasing sky cover and cooler temperatures will limit fine-fuel receptiveness. New fire occurrence is not expected to present any undue challenge.
· Southwest & Southern Oklahoma: Temperatures will top out in the 45?-55? range before dropping below freezing after sunset. Clouds are expected to fill in this afternoon shading fuels with relative humidity values 31-38% holding fine-dead fuel moisture at 7-8%. East-northeast winds will be sustained12-16 mph with higher gusts. On fires that become fully established, head fire rates of spread will be 81-126 ft/min with flame lengths 8-11 ft.
· Southeast Oklahoma: Temperatures 46?-54?, afternoon relative humidity values 30-36% and mostly-clear skies will yield fine-dead fuel moisture values at 7%. Light northeast winds this morning will remain rather light this afternoon at 7-11 mph with limited gusts. Grass-dominated fuels will support head fire rates of spread 85-110 ft/min with flame lengths 9- 13 ft. Timber litter will exhibit ROS around 20 ft/min with FL 4-5 ft. In plantations, fire fighters should expect problematic fire behavior on established fires including single and group tree torching.
Wednesday: Cool temperatures, sky cover and precipitation chances will serve to limit fire danger from becoming too concerning on Wednesday. While any precipitation is welcomed at this time, the forecasted amount will do little to benefit the current state of the fuels.
Near Term: No significant fire occurrence or critical fire weather is expected in the seven days. Warm, dry and breezy conditions are expected by the weekend ahead of another front although higher fire danger is currently expected to remain contained to only a few hours in the afternoon and will be dependent upon amount and effectiveness of midweek precipitation. The current 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast holds little hope for that precipitation to improve conditions over the long haul. The current near-term outlooks point to above normal temperatures and some optimism for above normal precipitation. That optimism, however, must be gauged against the seasonal norms and knowledge that Oklahoma is in the traditional driest period of the year.
Click here for the latest list of Oklahoma counties under burn bans.
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