Oklahoma City, OK – Fires could ignite and spread within minutes across Oklahoma today as powerful winds and extremely dry air combine to create volatile conditions through the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Norman, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday, with relative humidity dropping as low as 10 to 25 percent and southwest winds sustained at 20 to 30 mph, gusting up to 45 mph. A second warning is already in place beginning at 10 a.m. Friday through 9 p.m., extending the alert into the end of the workweek.
Western Oklahoma, including Woodward, Clinton, and Altus, faces critical fire conditions where any spark could trigger rapid wildfire growth. Near-critical վտանգ stretches east into Oklahoma City, Stillwater, and Enid, with strong crosswinds impacting I-40, I-44, and I-35 corridors. Lawton and Wichita Falls also sit in a high-risk zone where roadside fires could quickly spread into open land.
Oklahoma County remains under a burn ban, and officials warn that outdoor burning, equipment sparks, or even dragging chains could ignite fires. Residents are urged to avoid parking on dry grass, secure trailer chains, and delay any activities that produce sparks, gusts could also threaten power lines, increasing outage risk in exposed rural areas.
Conditions will remain dangerous until late Thursday night, with another round of warnings beginning Friday morning. Additional advisories or expanded restrictions could be issued if winds intensify.
