Warm Temperatures, Gusty Winds Bring High Fire Danger To Oklahoma

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – Warmer temperatures and gusty south winds will create a high fire danger for much of Oklahoma starting Thursday.

According to the News On 6 WARN team, winds are expected to reach 20 to 30 miles per hour in the Tulsa area Thursday.  The high temperature is to be 82 degrees, nearly 20 degrees above normal.

News On 6 meteorologist Alan Crone said the fire danger will not be as extreme as last week, when more than 30 grass fires burned thousands of acres across the state.

3/11/2011 Related Story: Governor Fallin Declares State Of Emergency In Wake Of Wildfires

He said relative humidity values will be in the lower 40's, compared to last Friday, when relative humidity values were in the teens.

Still, residents are encouraged not to burn.

"We encourage you to remain very aware of the potential for rapid fire growth and fire spread," he said.

Read Alan Crone's weather blog

Thirty-three Oklahoma counties remain under a burn ban.

"Even if your county is not included in an official burn ban, you should not burn," Crone added.

See a list of counties under a burn ban

Friday's high is expected to be 83 degrees. Cooler temperatures will move into the area for Saturday, with a high of 71 degrees.

3/16/2011 Related Story: Exhausted Oklahoma Firefighters Warn Of Severe Wildfire Risk