Western Oklahoma Burn Bans Renewed as Wildfire Risk Grows

Western Oklahoma Burn Bans Renewed as Hot, Dry Conditions Raise Wildfire Risk

Western Oklahoma burn bans are being renewed and extended as persistent heat, worsening drought conditions and dry vegetation continue to increase wildfire danger across the region.

As of September 1, 52 of Oklahoma's 77 counties had submitted burn ban resolutions. Several western and southwestern Oklahoma counties have extended restrictions into September as forestry officials warn that above-normal wildfire activity could continue for at least the next two weeks.

Western Oklahoma Burn Bans Extended Into September

Custer County commissioners renewed the county's burn ban effective August 31 for another 14 days, while Kiowa County extended its restrictions through September 14.

Burn bans also remain in effect in Dewey, Washita, Greer, Harmon and Jackson counties. Current restrictions in Washita, Harmon and Jackson counties extend through September 7.

Not every western Oklahoma county is under restrictions. Ellis, Roger Mills and Beckham counties were not under county burn bans as of the September 1 update.

County burn bans can be issued for periods of up to 14 days and may be renewed if extreme fire danger continues.

Oklahoma residents can check current restrictions and county resolutions through Oklahoma Forestry Services Burn Ban Information before conducting outdoor burning.

Restrictions also extend beyond Oklahoma. In the eastern Texas Panhandle, Hemphill, Wheeler and Collingsworth counties are under burn bans as dry conditions affect a broader portion of the southern Plains.

Oklahoma Forestry Services Warns Wildfire Activity Is Increasing

Oklahoma Forestry Services says wildfire occurrence and severity are increasing as above-normal temperatures continue and drought conditions intensify.

Western and southwestern Oklahoma are among the areas of greatest concern because of the depth of the drought and the amount of dry vegetation available to fuel fires.

Afternoon temperatures near 100 degrees, combined with low humidity and southerly winds, can allow grass fires to spread rapidly. Brush fires can become more difficult to control when wind, terrain and dry fuels align.

The Oklahoma Forestry Services provides wildfire situation reports, fire prevention information and updates on conditions affecting communities across the state.

Forestry officials expect above-normal wildfire activity to continue because the drought has left grass, brush and other vegetation increasingly susceptible to ignition.

Even when atmospheric conditions temporarily become less favorable for rapid fire growth, drought-stressed vegetation can remain dry enough to support significant wildfire activity.

Residents in affected counties should follow local burn ban restrictions and avoid activities that could produce sparks or accidentally ignite dry vegetation.

Hot, Dry Weather Offers Little Relief From Wildfire Danger

The weather forecast is providing little immediate relief for western Oklahoma.

The National Weather Service forecast for the Elk City area calls for temperatures around 100 degrees Wednesday, 101 Thursday, 100 Friday and near 100 again Saturday.

Overnight temperatures are expected to remain in the lower 70s, and no meaningful widespread rainfall is currently expected.

Current forecasts and hazardous weather information for western Oklahoma are available through the National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office.

Forecasters say fire weather conditions could improve somewhat when humidity increases, but that does not eliminate the underlying threat. Vegetation affected by prolonged drought remains highly receptive to fire even when short-term weather conditions become slightly more favorable.

Oklahoma Forestry Services expects hot and primarily dry conditions to continue through the work week and says elevated wildfire occurrence could persist for the next two weeks without widespread beneficial rainfall.

With more than two-thirds of Oklahoma counties reporting burn ban resolutions, residents should verify their county's current restrictions before burning outdoors because individual bans can expire, be extended or be modified as conditions change.

For western Oklahoma, the combination of drought, triple-digit temperatures and dry vegetation means Western Oklahoma burn bans are likely to remain an important tool for reducing wildfire risk until meaningful rainfall returns.

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