Forestry Service Says Oklahoma Could Face Fire Crisis

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Heat and drought could lead to a wildfire crisis in Oklahoma for the rest of the summer, a state forestry official said.

Forester George Geissler said that both rangeland in western Oklahoma and the wooded hills of eastern Oklahoma are extremely dry, and significant rain is needed statewide.

The U.S. Drought Monitor rates the western half of Oklahoma as in an exceptional drought and central Oklahoma in extreme drought. The eastern third of the state is rated in severe drought, except for the far northeast and southeast corners where the drought is rated as moderate.

But National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Smith in Norman said there is no indication rain will be falling anytime soon.

“We’re not seeing any hopeful signs for relief anywhere in the near future,” Smith said.

More than 150,000 acres have already burned in Oklahoma wildfires this year, Geissler said.

“We’re reaching that critical tipping point when a small spark can start a fire,” Geissler told The Oklahoman. “The moisture in the trees is so low, it’s fuel for wildland fire.”

Typically, the summer months are some of the least windy in Oklahoma. But it’s tough to predict the wind in Oklahoma, Geissler said. A typical summer day with a 10-15 mph south wind can cause fires to burn intensely, he said.

Firefighters statewide are prepared for the worst, Geissler said. The state forestry service has access to airplanes that can drop water and helicopters are available from the Oklahoma National Guard.

The state also can call for help from the U.S. Forest Service. An airplane recently made it from Abilene, Texas, to the Wichita Mountains in 31 minutes to help fight a fire there, he said.

The public needs to be extra cautious to prevent wildfires, Geissler said.

“As long as people keep in mind that if they do anything that involves a spark — grilling to cook, mowing and hitting a rock, whatever it is — they should be very cautious of their surroundings,” Geissler said.

Information from: The Oklahoman