Red flag fire alert issued for most of Oklahoma

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Three days after subfreezing weather gripped Oklahoma, state officials have issued a red flag fire alert because of warm, windy conditions. <br><br>Fifty-eight counties are included

Wednesday, March 6th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Three days after subfreezing weather gripped Oklahoma, state officials have issued a red flag fire alert because of warm, windy conditions.

Fifty-eight counties are included in the alert, which is in effect through Thursday, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture's Forestry Services division announced.

Above-normal highs and brisk winds will leave dry vegetation vulnerable to fire. A large grass fire burned 25 acres in south Oklahoma City Tuesday afternoon. No one was hurt

Officials encouraged residents to take extra precautions when burning outdoors and to avoid doing so altogether when winds exceed 20 mph.

A burn ban remains in effect in Texas County in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Included in the alert are Alfalfa, Atoka, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cimarron, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Hughes, Jackson, Jefferson and Johnston counties.

Also included are Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Love, McClain, McIntosh, Major, Marshall, Murray, Noble, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Stephens, Tillman, Tulsa, Washington, Washita and Woodward counties.