Statewide: Rainfall leading into Christmas provided solidly wetting amounts across most of Oklahoma – a handful of reporting locations in the Panhandle and extreme northwestern counties did not quite make the wetting amount. The Drought Monitor registered improvement last week and with another shot of moisture in the books, this week’s update may show another bit of improvement as well. Supporting this improvement is increasing composite fuel moisture observations. Energy Release Component values across the state are in good shape pointing to minimal resistance to control on emerging wildfires. Fire weather elements are not aligning in the near term forecast inputs leaving very limited concern for large or significant wildfire activity through the New Year’s holiday.
Today: Breezy north-northwest winds today will increase into midday strongest in the northwest and northern Oklahoma where 12-20 mph sustained and gusts nearing 30 mph are expected. Offsetting the wind concern is a slight chance of flurries or rain/snow mix over western and northern Oklahoma. Temperatures today will top out in the upper-30°’s at a few northern locations with 40°’s across most of the state. Afternoon relative humidity values are expected to remain above 40% at all but a few isolated locations limiting fuel receptiveness. Initial attack efforts are expected to be successful with rates of spread less than 100 ft/min in dormant, grass-dominated fuels.
Thursday/Friday: Fire behavior will remain muted offering very good opportunity for successful initial attack. Good overnight moisture recovery, seasonable temperatures, elevated afternoon relative humidity values will limit fine-fuel receptiveness. Northwest winds continue although a bit calmer than the intensity on Wednesday. Rates of spread will generally be less than 90 ft/min in grass dominated fuels.
Near-Term: Outside of a slight chance of precipitation early next week, dry conditions are expected to prevail. No critical fire weather or significant wildfire potential is expected through the New Year’s holiday.
Burn Bans: (None currently in effect)
Refer to: bit.ly/OKBans for the most current burn ban information and links to specific burn ban proclamations.
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