Agricultural News
Tuesday, January 8, 2022, Fire Situation Report: Little New Wildfire Activity
Tue, 08 Feb 2022 08:37:58 CST
According to the latest Fire Situation Report from the Oklahoma Forestry Services, there is no new fire activity other than one fire in southeastern Oklahoma that burned two acres.
Statewide Discussion: Above normal afternoon temperatures are forecasted through the work week coupled with dry conditions will result in increasing fuel dryness and receptiveness. Overall, the fire environment will lack the alignment to support significant fire occurrence although increasing initial attack activity with some large fire potential is expected in grass-dominated and rangeland fuels where grazing or other fuel manipulation has been absent. Last week's winter storm did provide a boost in composite fuel moisture values indicated by improved Energy Release Component. Given that, the fine-fuels that are the primary carrier of the flaming front will be readily receptive with moderate resistance to control.
Today: A weak cold front will enter the Panhandle counties by midday and northwestern Oklahoma near the peak of the burning period with some intensification in windspeed as winds begin to shift to the north. Increasing winds coupled with above normal temperatures and a dry airmass will drive elevated fire danger in the Oklahoma Panhandle, northwestern and some of the westcentral counties. Moderate to high fire danger indices elsewhere today.
· Oklahoma Panhandle / Northwestern Oklahoma: Afternoon temperature will range from 55-65 F under clear skies with relative humidity values 19-23%. Fine-dead fuel moisture will be 5% with some locations observing 4%. Westerly winds will shift to the northwest then north with the arrival of a cold front. Sustained wind speed 17-22 mph with some gusts around 30 mph will drive head fire rates of spread in rangeland fuels 173-238 ft/min with flame lengths 13-16 ft.
· Western Oklahoma: The cold front shifting into the state will enter the area near the end of the afternoon/evening burning period. Temperatures this afternoon will be in the mid-60s with relative humidity values 17-24% under clear skies resulting in receptive fine fuels at 4-5% across the area. Southwest winds will become westerly sustained 11-17 mph with some higher gusts. Rangeland fuels will exhibit head fire rates of spread 115-203 ft/min with head fire flame lengths 10- 14 ft. Some problematic fire behavior including single and group tree torching should be expected although spotting distance will be short. Conditions will moderate with sunset providing good opportunity to capture going fires.
· Central / Eastern Oklahoma: Snow melt is generally complete, and fuels have dried rapidly following the winter storm. Increasing initial activity is expected. Temperatures this afternoon will register 62-68 with relative humidity values 18-29% driving fine-dead fuel moisture to 5% broadly across the area. Grass dominated fuels will exhibit moderate rates of fire spread, but timber litter will provide moderated rates of spread. Southwest winds around 10 mph with some gusts nearing 20 mph will drive head fire rates of spread in grass dominated fuels 94-123 ft/min with flame lengths around 14 ft. Mixed and timber fuels will generate moderated rates of fire spread offering very good opportunity for initial attack efforts.
Wednesday: Good overnight moisture recovery east, but only moderate in the west. This will lead to an earlier development of the burning period. With temperatures in the 60s across most of the state coupled with lower dew point temperatures, afternoon relative humidity values will likely dip below 25% statewide. North winds will remain below critical with sustained winds below 20 mph and limited gusts. Overall, the trend Wednesday through the remainder of the week will lead to increasing wildfire occurrence potential.
Near Term: No precipitation in the forecast through the seven-day period and with temperatures again trending above normal coupled with dry air, fuels will become increasingly drier and more receptive. Resistance to suppression efforts will also increase rebounding quickly after the moisture boost from the winter storm. Increased fire danger is currently expected on Friday ahead of another cold front. As of now, significant fire potential will be held at bay although increasing potential for large fire occurrence is expected.
Click here to see the map of Oklahoma counties under burn bans.
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