County official warns of critical to extreme fire weather Friday; commissioners urge caution
Loading...
Summary
A county public-safety staff member warned commissioners that high winds, low humidity and cured grass could produce critical to extreme fire conditions on Friday and urged residents to postpone open burning and secure equipment.
A county public-safety staff member warned the Wichita County Commissioners Court on March 11 that weather forecasts indicate critical to extreme fire conditions beginning Friday and urged residents and operators to exercise caution.
Staff described regional conditions as ‘‘grass is cured’’ across much of the state, with only limited benefit from recent rain. The presenter said forecasts call for relative humidity in the single digits in parts of the region and gusts ‘‘up to wind speeds of 60 to 65 mile an hour’’ locally, with stronger gusts farther west and in the Panhandle. The speaker urged residents to postpone nonessential outdoor burning, to watch for downed power lines during high winds, and to have equipment and phones ready to respond if needed.
Why it matters: The warning precedes a forecast period of high winds and low humidity, conditions that increase the risk of wildland and structure fires. County staff recommended delaying burns that could smolder for days and advised infrastructure operators to consider temporary shutdowns during the highest-wind periods.
