It's cold, and snow may be on the way

By Brian Sargent and Augie Frost

Published: January 30, 2008

A strong cold front that moved across the state Tuesday morning brought strong, gusty winds that are expected to continue today. A high fire danger remains.

The high winds, combined with drought-like conditions, compelled Gov. Brad Henry issue a burn ban Tuesday for all 77 Oklahoma counties.

Behind the cold front, winds shifted northwesterly at 25 to 35 mph, with gusts above 50 mph in most areas of the state, including a 65 mph gust recorded by a Mesonet station near Okemah. Gusts near 60 mph were reported near Altus Air Force Base in Jackson County and Frederick in Tillman County by the National Weather Service.

Temperatures quickly dropped to the 30s and 40s, including a 21-degree drop within an hour in Oklahoma City.

The western half of the state was under a red flag warning issued by the weather service, and the area remained in a fire weather watch overnight, which indicates a red flag warning is likely to be issued again today.

Skies were expected to clear overnight with temperatures in the low 20s across the state.

Today will be mostly sunny, with breezy conditions as southern winds return. Highs will range from the upper 40s in northeastern and east-central parts of the state to the upper 60s in the southwest.

Wildfire potential remains until a more substantial cooldown arrives with a storm system on Thursday. That storm system may bring rain and snow across central and northern Oklahoma, the weather service said.

Henry announced his decision to issue a burn ban after reviewing weather data and discussing fire conditions with state forestry officials.

"A burn ban won't prevent every fire, but it will help lessen the danger,” the governor said.

In recent days, high winds and low humidity have created optimum conditions for wildfires, and the record rains of 2007 helped produce an abundance of vegetation that is now serving as fuel for fires, officials said.

Fallen tree limbs from last month's ice storm are also contributing to the danger.

Outdoor burning is banned, but there are some exemptions: charcoal and gas grilling. Occupations such as welding can also be exempt, provided tradesmen follow state Agriculture Department guidelines.

In southeast Oklahoma City, smoldering remains from a blaze that destroyed a vacant house Sunday flared up again Tuesday morning, consuming a hay barn, deputy Fire Chief Cecil Clay said.

"With the wind blowing 30 or 40 mph, if you've got the least little bit of ember buried back in there somewhere, it can kick back up,” Clay said.

Oklahoma City crews responded to more than 20 wildfires Tuesday, he said. An estimate on the amount of acres burned up was unavailable.

Five grass fires were reported across Comanche County, said Chris Killmer, spokesman for the county emergency management office. Three of the fires were caused by sparks from downed power lines, he said. Another grass fire near Sterling burned for more than an hour and consumed about 500 acres, Killmer said. The cause of that fire is under investigation.

Seven miles south of Anadarko, firefighters fought throughout the morning to extinguish an 80-acre fire in open fields. No structures were destroyed.

The Cyril, Cement, and New Hope fire departments were fighting smaller fires when called to help fight the larger one south of Anadarko, said Fire Chief Rick Bennett.

Norman firefighters fought to contain a fire that started Tuesday morning at a storm debris burn site, Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said.

The fire was reported about 9:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of E Robinson Street, Bailey said.

Contributing: Staff Writers Julie Bisbee, James Tyree, Ron Jackson, Michael McNutt and The Associated Press

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