Agricultural News
Monday, January 24, 2022, Fire Situation Report: More than 800 Acres Burn Over the Weekend
Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:20:50 CST
According to the latest Fire Situation Report from the Oklahoma Forestry Services, two fires burned five acres in northeast Oklahoma. Two fires burned 223 acres in east-central Oklahoma. In southeastern Oklahoma, 14 fires burned 284 acres.
Within the Oklahoma Forestry Service protection area, the Weber Mountain Fire has burned 213 acers in Latimer County and is 60% contained. The Wilson Creek Fire has burned 100 acres in McCurtain County and 60% contained.
Statewide Discussion: With dry conditions over the weekend, initial attack activity continued with emergence of some large fire activity noting that fires were captured within the first operational period. Temperatures this afternoon will be just a bit warmer with dry air in place and moderate windspeeds. New wildfires today are again likely to be contained in the first operational period. Snow chances enter the forecast Tuesday into the overnight hours focused in the Panhandle and far western counties lessening fire danger for a day or two although no extended relief expected. The latest Drought Monitor did indicate a 5% expansion of extreme drought indices and introduction of exceptional drought indices in Cimarron and Texas Counties. County Burn Bans continue to fill in in the western counties and have begun edging east correlated to intensifying drought indices. It is important to note that while some locations have received some very light precipitation in the last seven days, the separation from wetting rains ranges from 22 days in the east to 149 days in the western Panhandle with most of western and northern Oklahoma marking in greater than 80 days.
Today: Cool temperatures and moderate overnight moisture recovery will give way to warming temperatures and dry conditions this afternoon promoting a receptive fire environment across the state. The highest fire danger indices will be focused in the northwest ¼ of Oklahoma where the best alignment of fire weather and fuels indices exist. Moderate to high fire danger indices are expected elsewhere. New fires are expected to be contained during initial attack with some large fire potential in the mix.
Northwest ¼ & Oklahoma Panhandle: This afternoon, temperatures will warm into the 53?-63? range with relative humidity values 19-28% under mostly-clear skies yielding fine-dead fuel moisture values at 5-6%. Winds will become northerly sustained around 15 mph with some gusts near 25 mph during the peak of the burning period. Rangeland fuels will produce head fire rates of spread 95-150 ft/min with flame lengths 10-13 ft. Where winds are fully aligned with fuels and topography, ROS nearer to 190 ft/min should be expected.
Southwest & Central Oklahoma: Temperatures 60?-65?, afternoon relative humidity values 22-30% and mostly-clear to clear skies will yield fine-dead fuel moisture values at 6-7%. Variable winds this morning will become westerly then shifting to northerly later this afternoon and evening sustained 9-15 mph with some higher gusts. Range/Grass fuels will support head fire rates of spread 70-120 ft/min with flame lengths 9-13 ft. Mixed fuels will exhibit ROS around 65 ft/min with flame lengths 10-15 ft.
Eastern Oklahoma: Afternoon relative humidity values will generally be 30-35% as temperatures warm into the low- to mid-60?'s under mostly clear skies and fine-dead fuel moisture values at 7%. Grass-dominated fuels will exhibit head fire rates of spread around 90 ft/min with flame lengths around 12 ft. Timber litter will exhibit ROS around 15 ft/min with FL 4 ft.
Tuesday: Cooler temperatures are expected statewide and snow chances are forecasted for the Oklahoma Panhandle and parts of western Oklahoma. The highest fire danger indices will shift east for Tuesday although increasing sky cover will serve to limit fine-dead fuel moisture from bottoming out. New fire occurrence is expected to be contained during initial attack.
Near Term: Muted fire danger is expected over the next few days. Snow that may occur in the west will serve to limit fuel receptiveness for a day or two, but no longer-term benefit is expected. Energy Release Component remains near or above the 80th percentile given the prolonged dryness. It is a few days out, but the weekend may pose increased concern in both the prefrontal and post-frontal fire environment.
See this link for a map of the latest list of Oklahoma counties under burn bans.
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