Warm And Windy Increases Fire Danger

By Latoya Silmon News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The ice has melted and it is starting to warm up. And that means fire danger is a real threat this time of year.

Right now, more than 40 Oklahoma counties are under a burn ban, including a number of counties in eastern Oklahoma.

• Nowata
• Creek
• Craig
• Rogers
• Wagoner
• LeFlore
• Haskell
• McIntosh
• Pittsburg
• Hughes

Area fire departments want to make sure you're fire wise. Everything you've worked hard for could up in smoke in a matter of minutes and threaten your life.

Wildfires are a big danger right now. Last Sunday, a west Tulsa elementary school was in danger, when a grass fire burned about 80 acres and came very close to the school.

2/1/2009 Related story: Firefighters Respond To Grass Fire West Of Tulsa 

The Tulsa Fire Department says Mother Nature isn't giving us any favors; we haven't had much precipitation so it's very dry out. Now is the time to protect yourself and your property.

"It can take everything you have just so fast. It's important that we take just these simple precautions. You know people who burn trash.don't burn your trash. Hold your trash for a couple more days until the conditions become more favorable for that," said Tulsa Fire Captain Michael Baker.

Baker says you should never burn trash when the ground is as dry as it is now.

Check out okfire.mesonet.org. 

If you live in a rural area, make sure you have a 30 foot protection zone around your home. That means, you cut down tall grass, clear debris and don't store firewood near your home.

Baker says smokers should never throw a cigarette outside your vehicle's window while driving.

And in case there is a fire, always have an evacuation plan ready.

News On 6 meteorologist Dick Faurot discusses wildfire danger.