Use Caution: Much Of Oklahoma Under Elevated Fire Danger This Week

There is an elevated fire danger this week, according to the Oklahoma Forestry Service. Burn bans are in place in some counties, and officials are warning people to be cautious. 

News 9 meteorologist Lacey Swope says a number of things come together to create the risk for wildfires. 

"It doesn't get any higher than what we're seeing today," Swope said. "Strong winds, low humidity and drought that just keeps getting worse."  

Some parts of Southern Oklahoma haven’t had rain in over 50 days. 

"With that drought starts to set in and with humidity being low everything is just so dry," she said.  

According to her forecast, humidity is dangerously low across the state. 

"Any time humidity is going to be down below 20% and we have areas that are in drought we know there's going to be fire danger," she said. "Today humidity will be down to 10-15 percent in some areas, that's bone dry."  

These conditions are a breeding ground for wildfires 

"Those grasses, brush and leaf litter out there has become really receptive," said Drew Daily, with the Oklahoma Forestry Service.  

He also said they want people to be aware. 

"We are urging Oklahomans who are recreating outside today for Labor Day to just use an extra measure of caution," he said.  

Many holiday activities need to be closely monitored due to the increased fire risk, according to the forestry service. 

"Grilling, having a campfire at a campground, or anything of the like," Daily said.  

Nine Oklahoma counties are under a burn ban, and each county has its own set of rules on outdoor burning. 

Above all, Daily reminds people to be vigilant. 

"If they see smoke or suspect a wildfire, notify 911 immediately," he urged.  

Lacey also reiterated it doesn't take much to start a wildfire. 

"All it takes is a spark on a day like today to cause big time problems and fires that can spread really rapidly,” she warned. 

Click here to view a map of the counties under a burn ban.