The potential for dangerous wildfires in Oklahoma continues as firefighters have battled one fire in Mayes county that burned more than 250 acres while other fires in the south burned more than 800 acres. Homes were lost in wildfires near Lawton.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture reports northeast Oklahoma has been dry and experienced more than a dozen wildfires in the past few days that burned more than 500 acres.
The Dogwood Trail Fire in Mayes County was only 75% contained as of Thursday. The state Forestry Department reported the Laura Lynn Fire in Carter County burned 400 acres and at last word was 75% contained.
The Quanah fire in Comanche County near Lawton burned more than 200 acreas including two homes and three outbuildings. At last word, it was only 60% contained.
“Some large fire activity occurred although the beneficial presence of sky cover prevented the fire environment from tapping extreme conditions. Potential for initial attack activity remains across the western counties and Oklahoma Panhandle,” stated the department in a Thursday announcement.
Aiding firefighters is the arrival of Gulf moisture that has dramatically increased dew point temperatures overnight across much of the state with drizzle and some rain possible in eastern Oklahoma where low fire danger indices are expected.