Agricultural News
Rain Chances Throughout the Week, However Fire Danger still Present across the State
Tue, 15 Mar 2022 08:55:42 CDT
Statewide Discussion: Good to excellent overnight moisture recovery across the state as well as rain showers exiting southeastern Oklahoma this morning will stall fire weather development today. However, elevated fire danger indices will develop this afternoon and early evening in the Oklahoma Panhandle and western one-third of the state with low afternoon relative humidity although wind speeds will be noticeably lighter than in previous days. Fire danger will ramp up again on Wednesday across the western half of Oklahoma and into north-central/northeastern Oklahoma ahead of rain chances overspreading the state on Thursday.
Today: Composite fuel moisture values generally along and north of I-44 remain above the 70th percentile with 90th percentile rankings in the western tier and Panhandle counties translating to noticeable resistance to control and a quick transition to problematic fire behavior on any established fire. Fire danger indices today will be highest along and west of US 81 although surface windspeeds are expected to be much calmer this afternoon than in previous days limiting fire spread potential. Concern diminishes heading east where rain in southeastern Oklahoma, lingering sky cover and relative humidity values struggling to dip below 40% will limit fuel receptiveness.
• Western Oklahoma (Along and West of US 81): Cool morning temperatures and good overnight moisture recovery will transition into afternoon temperatures 64º-70º and relative humidity values 9-25% under clear skies. Fine-dead fuel moisture values will tap 5-6% at most locations with 4% observations where relative humidity values dip into the 10-11% range. North winds will persist through most of the day sustained 13-18 mph midday diminishing to around 10 mph late in the afternoon. Rates of spread in rangeland fuels 90-136 ft/min with head fire flame lengths around 10 ft. will permit good initial attack success.
• Oklahoma Panhandle: Temperature will range from 66º-70º this afternoon coupled with afternoon relative humidity values 9-13% under clear skies. Fine-dead fuel moisture values will register 4% across during peak burning conditions this afternoon. Westerly winds this morning will transition back to southwest sustained 5-16 mph with higher gusts. Rates of spread in fuels typical of the area will rates of spread 67-104 ft/min with flame lengths 7-10 ft affording good initial attack opportunity.
Near-Term: Fire danger will again ramp up on Wednesday across the western half of Oklahoma as well as north-central Oklahoma into the Flint Hills. Temperatures in the 70º's. low relative humidity values and gusty southerly winds over dormant fuels will have potential to exhibit rapid rates of fire spread and problematic fire behavior. Precipitation chances increase Thursday morning in the Panhandle counties and gradually fill in across the state into the afternoon and evening hours. Current Quantitative Precipitation Forecast through Friday points to an opportunity for precipitation across the state although wetting amounts are unlikely across much of the area. Nonetheless, a brief downturn in fire danger is likely through the end of the week following elevated concern on Wednesday. Burn Bans: Refer to: https://ag.ok.gov/divisions/forestry-services/ for the most current burn ban information and links to specific burn ban proclamations.
NE Area 1 Fire Burned 10 Acres (Cause: 1-Incendiary)
EC Area No New Activity
SE Area 1 Fire Burned 20 Acres (Cause: 1-Incendiary)
Large / Significant Fire Activity within the OFS Protection Area:
• 1925 Road Fire (Pushmataha County) 115 Acres, 50% Contained
• McCarrel Road Fire (McCurtain County) 3 Acres/1 Structure, 100% Contained
• Miller Road Fire (Atoka County) 253 Acres, 65% Contained
Fire Activity with OFS Response outside of the Protection Area:
• 62 Fire (Kiowa County) 8,900 Acres/6 Structures, 20% Contained
• Cimarron Fire (Major County) 2,300 Acres (est.), 10% Contained
OFS Prescribed Fire Activity: No New Activity
Fire Department Statistics Moderate to Heavy Initial Attack (Large Fire Activity N
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