Snowfall gives Oklahoma firefighters some temporary relief

Tuesday, January 10th 2006, 1:26 pm

By: News On 6

Some relief for Oklahoma firefighters. Snow fell across the northern sections of the state Tuesday, giving Oklahoma its first significant precipitation in weeks. It should be enough to cool off wildfires for a little bit, but Oklahoma firefighters aren't out of the woods yet.

News on 6 anchor Terry Hood says a number of folks have been calling, wondering if the burn ban is still in effect. The answer: until we get some substantial moisture, wildfires could flare up any time.

The snow was short-lived. The break firefighters get will be also. Since they're not knocking down flames, the snow is giving fire crews a chance to inspect their equipment before their next bout with wildfires.

It's also giving them something they haven't had in weeks, time. Sand Springs Fire Department Deputy Chief Tom Jenkins: "Big grass fires and stuff, and we're having to call people in and we have people working double shifts, and itâ€™s hard on everybody just emotionally and physically. It gives everyone a chance to sleep, go about their normal day, and that will be good for fatigue and that sort of thing."

Firefighters think - at best - the snow bought them another two days before wildfires flare up again.