Oklahoma Faces Critical Fire Danger As Winds And Dryness Rise

Fire danger has intensified across Oklahoma on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The National Weather Service in Norman has indicated that fire weather conditions have intensified locally and has moved portions of southwest Oklahoma into the critical category.

Portions of the state are experiencing elevated to critical fire weather danger Tuesday due to low relative humidity and strong south to southwest winds. These conditions, coupled with dry vegetation, create the perfect conditions for wildfires.

A majority of Oklahoma is under a Red Flag Warning through 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Over half the state is under a Red Flag Warning for Tuesday. The warning will remain in effect through 8 p.m. Tuesday. A Red Flag Warning is issued when conditions are present that could cause any fires that develop to spread rapidly. Also, outdoor burning is not recommended during a Red Flag Warning.

READ MORE: Five Ways Oklahoma Residents Could Accidentally Start A Wildfire

Seventeen counties in Oklahoma are currently under a burn ban.

Multiple small fires have popped up across Oklahoma due to the elevated to critical fire weather conditions across the state. Currently, only 17 of Oklahoma's 77 counties are under a Burn Ban.

The Oklahoma Forestry Services has a list of counties that are currently under a burn ban. The list was last updated at 2:41 p.m. Tuesday.

• Panhandle
  • Texas
• Western
  • Greer
• Southwest
  • Comanche
  • Grady
  • McClain
  • Garvin
  • Carter
  • Love
• Central
  • Cleveland
  • Pottawatomie
  • Hughes
• Eastern/Northeast
  • Muskogee
  • Wagoner
  • Tulsa
  • Rogers
  • Delaware
  • Adair

During a Burn Ban, residents within the counties are restricted from several types of burning outdoors, firework use and more. Doing these restricted activities can result in fines or jail time.