Agricultural News
Much Needed Precipitation Provides Relief From Heavy Wildfire Occurance
Thu, 24 Mar 2022 08:19:47 CDT
Wetting amounts of precipitation have occurred across Oklahoma excluding the western Panhandle where wintry conditions prevailed providing a bit of a reprieve from heavy wildfire occurrence. Heavily grazed pastures and wheat fields are expected to green-up a bit providing an opportunity in the fire environment although the bulk of the fuelscape remains dormant with increasing availability as we transition into a warming/drying trend. Fire danger indices are expected to increase into the weekend and first part of next week drying conditions accelerated by lower afternoon relative humidity values in the afternoon.
Today: The highest fire danger indices today will develop in parts of western and southwestern Oklahoma where afternoon relative humidity values will dip into the 14-20% range as temperatures warm into the 63°-70° under clear skies. Fine-dead fuel moisture values will briefly tap 4% this afternoon yielding receptive rangeland fuels. Over this area, northwest winds sustained 11-16 mph with some gusts topping 20 mph will prompt moderate rates of fire spread in rangeland fuels where heavy grazing or haying has been absent. Head fire rates of spread 90-141 ft/min with flame lengths around 10 ft. will offer good opportunity for successful initial attack.
Moderated fire danger indices on the heels of soaking rains are expected elsewhere today although drying conditions will prompt increasing initial attack frequency. Fire occurrence in southeastern Oklahoma is expected to persist, especially in timber fuels on south and west facing slopes. Live-woody fuel moisture will be slower to respond, holding opportunity for problematic fire behavior in pine-dominated fuels firmly in place.
Near-Term: Drying conditions into the weekend and early next week will lead to potential for increasing initial attack activity across much of Oklahoma. The rainfall has boosted soil moisture and some green up in the cool-season herbaceous fuels is anticipated especially in the southeast quarter of the state. That boost in soil moisture will, however, limit engine tactics. Otherwise, dry conditions will prevail until our next opportunity for rainfall in the middle of next week.
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OFS STATISTICS for March 21-23, 2021 OFS Preparedness Level: 1 - - 3 - 4 - 5
NE Area 1 Fire Burned 50 Acres (Cause: 1-Escaped Debris)
EC Area 4 Fires Burned 926 Acres (Cause: 2-Escaped Debris, 2-Incendiary)
SE Area 4 Fires Burned 173 Acres (Cause: 4-Incendiary)
Large / Significant Fire Activity within the OFS Protection Area:
• San Bois Fire (Haskell County) 698 Acres, 70% Contained
• Cedar Creek Drive Fire (LeFlore County) 225 Acres, 70% Contained
• Sandy Lane Fire (Choctaw County) 155 Acres, 50% Contained
Fire Activity with OFS Response outside of the Protection Area: No New Activity
OFS Prescribed Fire Activity: No New Activity
Fire Department Statistics Light Initial Attack Activity
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