Officials burning debris from winter storm to avoid fire hazard

<br>(Tulsa-AP) -- Oklahoma forestry officials are burning debris left behind by a winter ice storm in hopes of preventing a rash of wildfires this summer. <br><br>Last year, wildfires consumed more than

Wednesday, April 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Oklahoma forestry officials are burning debris left behind by a winter ice storm in hopes of preventing a rash of wildfires this summer.

Last year, wildfires consumed more than 100-thousand acres and about 60 homes across Oklahoma.

This year with the debris from the storm, officials say there's even more potential for wildfires.

The Wildlife Department has been burning brush in areas around Keystone, Kaw and Eufaula lakes.

The U-S Forest Service has burned more than 14-thousand acres in the Ouachita (WASH'-uh-tah) National Forest in LeFlore and McCurtain counties.

The state Legislature will soon take up a bill that reduces the liability for private landowners who conduct their own prescribed burns to help prevent fires.