This thread is meant for the discussion on the fire dangers in Oklahoma during this drought. This topic was normally lumped in with the main weather thread, but since severe weather season is going now I want to keep both topics from getting taken over by the other.

_________Norman Warning Area Map __________________ Tulsa County Warning Area Map____
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/png/oun.png http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/png/tsa.png
Red Flag Warning | Fire Warning | Fire Weather Watch | High Wind Warning | High Wind Watch | Wind Advisory

Other Color Meanings: http://www.weather.gov/wwamap-prd/faq.php

Norman County Warning Area Wildfire Potential
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/rtimages/oun/fxc_Fire_Danger_Graph.jpg

Norman Fire Weather Planning Forecast (http://www.weather.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=OK&prodtype=firewx)

SPC Fire Weather Outlooks

________ Day 1 ________________ Day 2 ______________ Days 3 to 8 _____
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/day1fireotlk_sm.png (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html) http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/day2fireotlk_sm.png (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.html) http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/fire_wx/day3-8fireotlk_sm.png (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/fire_wx/)

*Click any above graphic to view discussion.*

CoD Visible Satellite Image (will appear blank overnight)
http://climate.cod.edu/data/satellite/1km/Oklahoma/current/Oklahoma.vis.gif

Oklahoma Mesonet Current Conditions
http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/maps/realtime/current.agwx.gif?1302894261

Oklahoma Fire Danger Model - Burning Index
http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.bi.gif?1302894307

Oklahoma Mesonet Fire Weather Graphics
Spread Component (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.sc.gif) | Energy Release Component (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.er.gif) | Ignition Component (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.ic.gif) | 1-h Dead Fuel Moisture (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.fm.gif) | 10-h Dead Fuel Moisture (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.fm10.gif) | 100-h Dead Fuel Moisture (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.fm100.gif) | 1000-h Dead Fuel Moisture (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.fm1000.gif) | Live Herbaceous Moisture (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.herb.gif) | Live Woody Moisture (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.wood.gif) | KBDI (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/nfd/images/latest.kd.gif) | Visual Greenness (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/firedanger/latest.vg.fire.gif) | Relative Greenness (http://okfire.mesonet.org//data/public/mesonet/models/realtime/firedanger/latest.rg.fire.gif)

Useful Links
OK-FIRE Mesonet Site: http://okfire.mesonet.org/
COD Weather Analysis Page: http://weather.cod.edu/analysis/
NWS Norman Enhanced Page: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/enhanced.php
Storm Prediction Center: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Oklahoma Mesonet: http://www.mesonet.org/
West Texas Mesonet: http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/
Oklahoma Fire Weather: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=fireweather
Oklahoma Road Conditions: http://www.dps.state.ok.us/cgi-bin/weathermap.cgi
Severe Weather Values Reference Guide: http://weatherspotter.net/index11.php -or- http://www.theweatherprediction.com/severe/indices/
TwisterData Model Page: http://www.twisterdata.com/
Earl Barker's Central US Model Page: http://128.121.193.153/central_models.htm
NSSL WRF Model: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/wrf/
NSSL 4KM WRF Model Forecast Soundings: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/wrf/sdg/

Fire Warning in Comanche County...

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FIRE WARNING
COMANCHE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
143 PM CDT FRI APR 15 2011

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS BEING TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE
COMANCHE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGER.

PEOPLE IN AN AREA BOUNDED BY SW LEE BOULEVARD...SW 112TH STREET...SW
TINNEY ROAD...AND SW 38TH ST SHOULD EVACUATE TOWARD THE EAST. A
LARGE FIRE LOCATED NEAR LEE AND 112TH WILL SPREAD QUICKLY SOUTHEAST.

Some massive fires burnings out there now in SW OK / NW TX.

http://www.chatokc.com/images/save/ok-fires-nws-41511.jpg

Smoke plumes very visible on satellite.

http://www.chatokc.com/images/save/ok-fires-41511.gif

http://www.chatokc.com/images/save/txok-fires-41511.gif

Bulletin - eas activation requested
fire warning
comanche county emergency management
relayed by national weather service norman ok
430 pm cdt fri apr 15 2011

the following message is being transmitted at the request of the
comanche county emergency manager.

A large grass fire is located near mcintosh and tackle box roads
and is moving rapidly southeast. People in an area bounded by
mcintosh and tackle box roads...and allison and stony point should
evacuate to the east.

It is funny how on a recent day, everyone was so hyped about fire warnings and so prepared for major fire disasters only to see the surface wind a bust. Then today... Not much hype. We have the surface wind, quite strongly, in fact more stronger than the previous hyped fire day, but no fire that I am aware of around here except for extreme far southwestern portion.

Okay, we are very dry and very windy right now, but no major fire outbreaks? Could the temperature be the reason for it?

It is funny how on a recent day, everyone was so hyped about fire warnings and so prepared for major fire disasters only to see the surface wind a bust. Then today... Not much hype. We have the surface wind, quite strongly, in fact more stronger than the previous hyped fire day, but no fire that I am aware of around here except for extreme far southwestern portion.

Okay, we are very dry and very windy right now, but no major fire outbreaks? Could the temperature be the reason for it?

Temperature is a big part of it. Also, were starting to green up.

Critical/Extreme fire conditions to return to Central/Western OK for Sunday and a Fire Weather Watch is now up for the entire area.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
559 PM CDT SAT APR 16 2011

OKZ004>015-017>021-024>031-040>042-046-050-171000-
/O.EXB.KOUN.FW.A.0022.110417T1600Z-110418T0100Z/
HARPER-WOODS-ALFALFA-GRANT-KAY-ELLIS-WOODWARD-MAJOR-GARFIELD-
NOBLE-ROGER MILLS-DEWEY-BLAINE-KINGFISHER-LOGAN-PAYNE-BECKHAM-
CANADIAN-OKLAHOMA-LINCOLN-GRADY-MCCLAIN-CLEVELAND-POTTAWATOMIE-
SEMINOLE-GARVIN-MURRAY-PONTOTOC-CARTER-LOVE-
559 PM CDT SAT APR 16 2011

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING FOR WESTERN NORTH TEXAS AND ALL OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL
OKLAHOMA TO THE WEST OF A MARIETTA TO ADA TO PONCA CITY LINE...

* WINDS...SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST 20 TO 25...GUSTING 35 TO 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...12 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURES...LOW 80S EAST AND NORTH...TO LOW 90S SOUTHWEST.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY.
OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MONITOR WEATHER FORECASTS AND INFORMATION.

I didn't fully grasp how dry we are this year until I took a drive yesterday over to the tiny little crick that sits in the middle of watershed, the one where Lake Draper ought to be.

I Was completely stunned. I've never seen it so empty

I didn't fully grasp how dry we are this year until I took a drive yesterday over to the tiny little crick that sits in the middle of watershed, the one where Lake Draper ought to be.

I Was completely stunned. I've never seen it so empty

If, by chance, you were referring to the lake itself, it was partially drained a year ago so that maintenance can be performed.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5627008263_e78a3a316d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39213183@N02/5627008263/)
Lake Stanley Draper (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39213183@N02/5627008263/) by woodyrr (http://www.flickr.com/people/39213183@N02/), on Flickr

Filling it back up when the work is completed might be an issue, however.

On the scanner, I just heard the eastern Oklahoma County fire departments declare today a "war day" so they are getting ready to hit any fires that start very hard.

Dinna know about it being drained on purpose. Had not been by for a good spell. I was shocked to see five of the fishing docks and a boat dock sitting on dry lake bottom with zero water within 100+ feet, and only a thin puddle strip then.

Several fires going right now and smoke smell in Norman is getting pretty thick. Not sure where it is coming from though.

Currently Active Fires (as of 2:55PM)
- Cement, Caddo County
- Velma, Stephens County
- Comanche County - Trail Road: 50% contained
- Crawford, Roger Mills
- Pernell, Garven County

This is happening in Texas right now.

http://kocoweatherblog.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/texas-fires/

Fire risk will start increasing through the week. Fire weather watches up for most of Western OK.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
401 PM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...DRY WITH STRONG SOUTH WINDS ON FRIDAY...

.GUSTY SOUTH WINDS AND WARM TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED ON FRIDAY
AFTERNOON CREATING INCREASED FIRE POTENTIAL.

OKZ004-009-014-280515-
/O.EXA.KOUN.FW.A.0025.110429T1800Z-110430T0200Z/
HARPER-ELLIS-ROGER MILLS-
401 PM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING FOR VERY WARM... DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR
WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY
EVENING.

* WINDS...SOUTH 20 TO 30...GUSTING 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...15 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURE...HIGH TEMPERATURES 80 TO 85.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY.
OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MONITOR WEATHER FORECASTS AND INFORMATION.

-----

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
401 PM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...DRY WITH STRONG SOUTH WINDS ON FRIDAY...

.GUSTY SOUTH WINDS AND WARM TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED ON FRIDAY
AFTERNOON CREATING INCREASED FIRE POTENTIAL.

OKZ021-022-033>037-TXZ083>090-280515-
/O.CON.KOUN.FW.A.0025.110429T1800Z-110430T0200Z/
BECKHAM-WA****A-HARMON-GREER-KIOWA-JACKSON-TILLMAN-HARDEMAN-FOARD-
WILBARGER-WICHITA-KNOX-BAYLOR-ARCHER-CLAY-
401 PM CDT WED APR 27 2011

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR VERY WARM... DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR
WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS...

* WINDS...SOUTH 20 TO 30...GUSTING 40 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...15 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURE...HIGH TEMPERATURES 80 TO 93.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY.
OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MONITOR WEATHER FORECASTS AND INFORMATION.

Fire Weather Watch up for all of Western OK.

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
902 AM CDT TUE MAY 3 2011

...LOW HUMIDITIES AND STRONG SOUTH WINDS RETURN WEDNESDAY...

OKZ004>006-009>011-014>017-021>023-033>038-044-032215-
/O.EXA.KOUN.FW.A.0026.110504T1700Z-110505T0100Z/
HARPER-WOODS-ALFALFA-ELLIS-WOODWARD-MAJOR-ROGER MILLS-DEWEY-
CUSTER-BLAINE-BECKHAM-WA****A-CADDO-HARMON-GREER-KIOWA-JACKSON-
TILLMAN-COMANCHE-COTTON-
902 AM CDT TUE MAY 3 2011

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
WEDNESDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY THROUGH 8 PM WEDNESDAY
EVENING.

* WINDS...SOUTH 20 TO 30 MPH...GUSTING TO AROUND 40.

* HUMIDITY...10 TO 20 PERCENT.

* TEMPERATURE...74 TO 82.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY.
OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

MONITOR WEATHER FORECASTS AND INFORMATION.

Red Flag warnings are up for Western OK (see maps in post #1)...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/rtimages/oun/fxc_Wednesday.jpg

Urgent - fire weather message
national weather service norman ok
356 am cdt sun may 8 2011

...hot dry and breezy weather today...

Okz004>006-009>011-014>017-021>023-033>038-txz083>085-087-088-
081700-
/o.upg.koun.fw.a.0027.110508t1800z-110509t0100z/
/o.new.koun.fw.w.0026.110508t1700z-110509t0200z/
/o.new.koun.fw.a.0028.110509t1700z-110510t0200z/
harper-woods-alfalfa-ellis-woodward-major-roger mills-dewey-
custer-blaine-beckham-wa****a-caddo-harmon-greer-kiowa-jackson-
tillman-comanche-hardeman-foard-wilbarger-knox-baylor-
356 am cdt sun may 8 2011

...red flag warning in effect from noon today to 9 pm cdt this
evening...
...fire weather watch in effect from monday afternoon through
monday evening...

The national weather service in norman has issued a red flag
warning...which is in effect from noon today to 9 pm cdt this
evening. A fire weather watch has also been issued. This fire
weather watch is in effect from monday afternoon through monday
evening.

* wind...south-southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts around 30.

* humidity...5 to 15 percent.

* temperature...afternoon highs 98 to 106.

* impacts...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Fires may start easily and spread rapidly. Report smoke or fire
to your local fire department.

Monitor weather forecasts and information.

As expected, fire danger will start going up quite a bit through the upcoming week. Winds started Tuesday could be 30-40 mph or higher along and west of I-35. As we continue to dry out (well for those that got rain), we could start pushing the Very High to Extreme fire danger days again. This is going to be something to definitely watch as we get closer to the July 4th holiday. If we don't get rain between now and then, pretty wide spread burn bans are probably guaranteed which could severe limit any firework displays. Not to mention, the inherent risk of people who disregard the conditions and celebrate as they normally would.

Plan appropriately for any outdoor's activities this weekend.

From the Norman Morning Discussion:

.FIRE WEATHER EPISODE THE UPCOMING WEEKEND...
WEDNESDAY WILL BE LESS HOT AS THE FRONT REACHES NORTH TEXAS. EXPECT
DIURNAL THUNDERSTORMS NEAR THE FRONT...WITH POTENTIAL TO PUSH BACK
NORTH AND WEST ALONG OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES. REGARDING FRONTAL POSITION
AND SYNOPTICS THE 00Z ECMWF WAS THE MODEL OF CHOICE...THOUGH
DIFFERENCES WITH THE GFS WERE MINIMAL. AN 850 MB WARM FRONT WILL
START TO TAKE SHAPE TO OUR NORTH ON THURSDAY...BUT THE SURFACE FRONT
WILL BE SLOWER TO LIFT...RESULTING IN GRADUALLY HOTTER TEMPERATURES
EXPANDING SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHEAST THROUGH SATURDAY.

THE PATTERN SETTING UP THIS WEEKEND CAUSES SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OVER
FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. AS IT APPEARS NOW...A BROAD UPPER TROUGH
WILL APPROACH SLOWLY...OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS. WINDS WILL INCREASE AT
ALL LEVELS...MEANING A WINDY LOW LEVEL JET AHEAD OF THE DRYLINE AND
DEEPLY MIXED GUSTY WINDS BEHIND THE DRYLINE. TEMPERATURES ARE
FORECAST WELL ABOVE 100 DEGREES IN THE WEST...AND ANY THUNDERSTORM
ACTIVITY WILL LIKELY PRODUCE LIGHTNING AND STRONG WINDS...BUT NOT A
LOT OF RAINFALL. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE CURRENTLY FORECAST TO OCCUR
SUNDAY AND MONDAY...WHEN THE SURFACE LOW DEEPENS TO AROUND 990 MB
FROM SOUTHEAST COLORADO TOWARD NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA. IF THE TRENDS
HOLD UP...THIS COULD BE A MORE SIGNIFICANT FIRE WEATHER THREAT THAN
THE RECENT EVENTS.