Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) is reporting a surge in wildfire activity across the state, with high to very-high fire danger indices expected to remain through today. Combined with dry fuels and strengthening winds, officials have issued a Red Flag Warning for Western Oklahoma and the Panhandle, while central and eastern regions remain under elevated threat levels.
Current Fire Activity and Impacts
Over the last reporting period, OFS resources have been engaged in multiple regions to combat both new starts and established large fires.
Regional Breakdown of New Fires:
- Northeast Area: 7 fires burned 350.1 acres. Causes included one escaped control burn, one structure fire, one campfire, and four incendiary fires.
- East Central Area: 2 fires burned 70.0 acres, caused by an escaped control burn and other factors.
- Southeast Area: 5 fires burned 85.2 acres. Causes included an escaped control burn, escaped debris, a structure fire, and two incendiary fires.
Large/Significant Fire Updates: Firefighters continue to make progress on several major incidents across the eastern and central parts of the state:
- Big Toe Fire (Pittsburg County): 1,208 acres and 90% contained.
- Old Kentucky Fire (Sequoyah County): 712 acres and 85% contained.
- Buffalo Pasture Fire (Adair County): 406 acres and 75% contained.
- River Ranch Fire (Adair County): 160 acres and 50% contained.
- Coleman Hollow Fire (Mayes County): 104 acres and 90% contained.
Statewide Conditions and Forecast
The combination of single-digit relative humidity in the Panhandle and winds gusting up to 35 mph across western and central Oklahoma has created a volatile environment. In rangeland fuels, head fire rates of spread are reaching 170 to 250 feet per minute, with flame lengths occasionally exceeding 18 feet.
A shift in the weather pattern is expected Tuesday as a cold front enters the state. While this brings the potential for rain, it also introduces the risk of isolated storms. Firefighters are warned that storms near active wildfires may cause erratic outflow winds, leading to extreme fire behavior and dangerous conditions on the line.
Resources and Advisories
An Interagency Fuels & Fire Behavior Advisory remains in effect for Oklahoma. To bolster suppression efforts, OFS has mobilized suppression groups including engines, dozers, and overhead personnel at strategic locations in Woodward, Weatherford, Ponca City, and Goldsby.
While the best chance for significant wetting rains is expected along and east of I-35 later this week, fire officials will be closely monitoring how much moisture reaches western Oklahoma before dry, windy conditions return on Thursday and Friday.
