Risk of wildfire outbreak in Oklahoma this week as high winds, dry conditions approach
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Firefighters across Oklahoma are on high alert as officials warn of an increasing probability of a 'wildfire outbreak' later this week, with near hurricane-strength winds and not much rain in the forecast.The Oklahoma City Fire Department says it's already shaping up to be a busy week.'We're off and running on wildfires now,' said Scott Douglas with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
Firefighters warn of high fire danger as area experiences numerous brush fires
Meteorologists expect strong winds to sweep across the state on Friday, combining with low humidity to create ideal conditions for wildfires.'We're really looking at the high winds and the low humidity,' Douglas said. 'Those are two factors that we're looking at for the high, high wildfire danger days.'McIntyre Law Chopper 4 saw it play out almost two weeks ago in a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood, where neighbors jumped in to stop a fire from burning their homes down.Now, Oklahoma Forestry Services is warning that the fire risk is only growing.'There is an increasing probability' of a 'wildfire outbreak' across the region, particularly on Friday, the agency said.'We expect any fire that starts on that day to be extremely difficult to control,' said Oklahoma Forestry Services Director, Mark Goeller.Douglas says even the smallest spark could be enough to start a wildfire.'Even a tiny spark, a discarded cigarette, you know, sparks coming from a trailer chain—anything that can create a spark and land in this dry vegetation has a capability of becoming a large wildfire,' said Douglas.Even a car can be a fire hazard.Last year, McIntyre Law Chopper 4 captured Oklahoma City police cruisers bursting into flames after parking on tall grass during a chase.'We've even had some outdoor welders that were welding on a fence,' Douglas said. 'And these sparks were flying over some dead grass, and then we were taking off on a large grass fire.'This week, the fire department is bringing in special wildfire task force teams to stay ahead of the danger.
Police chase ends with one arrested, small grass fire in NE OKC
'We have 16 front-line brush pumpers. We have several other reserve brush pumpers. We have five tankers across the city,' said Douglas.'If we can reach to the head of the fire and get it knocked down, then we work our way back towards the flanks,' he said.Fire officials say there are several steps people can take to reduce their wildfire risk:• Clean up any dry brush or dead plants around your house.• Have a go-bag ready in case you need to evacuate.• Know two ways to get off your property.• Absolutely no sparks, no flames outside—no exceptions.'So many people get tunnel vision on their grill, and then they walk in for a second, and some charcoal falls off onto some dead grass,' Douglas said. 'It just doesn't take much for these wildfires to grow. So our biggest message is no sparks. OKC, please pay attention to what you're doing outside.'Firefighters also recommend that residents, especially those in rural areas, make sure their address is clearly visible from the road. They say that could save critical seconds in an emergency.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
4Warn Storm Team tracking storms in Oklahoma Tuesday
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The 4Warn Storm Team is keeping an eye on storms rolling into the state Tuesday. Officials say there is a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms as a cold front sweeps southeast across central Oklahoma. The main threats are damaging winds, large hail and locally heavy rainfall. You can't rule out tornadoes in Oklahoma this time of year but the threat for tornadoes is very low. 4WARN WEATHER: Oklahoma City Weather Radar Once the cold front passes your area the threat for severe weather ends rapidly. Remember, there is also a Flash Flood Watch so flooding is also possible. According to KFOR Meteorologist Emily Sutton, storms can begin Tuesday around 11 a.m. The storms may pick up into the evening hours, around 7 to 8 p.m. in the metro. The storms will then move into Southeast Oklahoma. Oklahoma Weather RadarOklahoma Weather Watches and Warnings MapKFOR SkyCam NetworkOklahoma Closings and DelaysOklahoma Weather Alerts According to NWS Norman, NOAA weather radios will be off the air starting Tuesday and through June 5 due to a required software update. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings. Download the 4WarnMe app or the KFOR News app to get alerts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
NWS Norman alerts residents of NOAA weather radio outage June 3-5
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) – The National Weather Service Norman (NWS Norman) is giving a gentle reminder regarding NOAA weather radios starting June 3. Download the free interactive 4WarnMe Weather App Oklahoma Weather RadarOklahoma Weather Watches and Warnings MapKFOR SkyCam NetworkOklahoma Closings and Delays According to NWS Norman 'X' platform, 'NOAA weather radios will be off the air starting tomorrow and through June 5 due to a required software update during this time. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings.' Stormy Week Ahead, Starting Tonight The following areas: Ardmore Atoka Chickasha Clinton Enid Lawton Altus Oklahoma City Wichita Falls Ponca City Wewoka Stillwater Woodward NWS Norman says, if you rely on NOAA weather radio for warnings, its important you locate other sources available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
EMSA releases first heat alert of 2025 for OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – It's getting warmer outside as the summer months roll around. It got hot enough over the past weekend for EMSA to issue their first heat alert of the year for Oklahoma City Monday morning. EMSA is now urging caution to people spending long amounts of time outside as future rain can cause even more humidity later on. 'It is time to be prepared,' EMSA paramedic Tori Thompson said. 'Prepared' is the key word with the newest heat alert. 'Let's be proactive and not reactive,' Thompson said. EMSA crews responded to 7 heat related illness calls on Sunday alone. Three of those patients went to the hospital. Those numbers don't include what Thompson said she's seen at the Women's College World Series. 'I've been out there the last few days and we have had an extreme number of heat related illnesses out there,' Thompson said. 'The humidity is really taking a toll.' To keep yourself right side up and out of one of EMSA's gurney's, hydration should be a number one priority. 'Let's start hydrating days before we know we're going to be outside for an extended amount of time,' Thompson said. Guthrie Job Corps closing its doors due to federal budget cuts While outside, take breaks consistently, remember to wear light colored and loose fitting clothing and make sure you can find shade when you need it. If you have to, bring blankets to create that shade and don't forget to wear sunscreen. 'Don't leave anyone in a hot vehicle,' Thompson said. 'Make sure your pets have water. Don't leave them out for extended amount of time. That affects them just as it does us.' According to Thompson, this is about the time of year they normally send their first alert out. It may take some time to get acclimated, but if you prepare properly it can save your life. Don't drink too much alcohol or caffiene either. Now is also a good time to consistently check in on elderly neighbors to make sure they're doing OK. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
