Wildfire scorches land in Oklahoma as gusty winds fuel extreme fire risk
The National Weather Service issued a Fire Warning for an area near Weatherford, Oklahoma, and urged residents to evacuate to the west and south of the warned area. Officials say the cause of the fire appears to be a power line.
Wildfire burns in Weatherford, Oklahoma
Flames spread quickly in Weatherford, Oklahoma during gusty winds and dry conditions.
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – A wildfire that erupted in the Oklahoma town of Weatherford in Custer County is now out, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.
A Fire Warning was issued for southeastern Custer County on Tuesday afternoon as a wildfire was spotted 5 miles west of Weatherford. According to the National Weather Service, the wildfire was rapidly moving east-northeast toward Weatherford proper.
The National Weather Service urged residents west and south of the warned area to evacuate.
Wildfire burns near white pickup truck in lower right-hand corner. Weatherford, Oklahoma. April 4, 2023.
(KOKH FOX 25 Oklahoma City / FOX Weather)
The Custer County Sheriff's Office noted that the cause of the fire appears to be a power line.
There were concerns about powerful winds making the wildfire conditions worse. According to the NWS office in Norman, strong southwest winds had the potential to reach 25-35 mph, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph.
According to the Weatherford Fire Department, the fire began about 11:45 a.m. CDT. It burned pastures and trees and as of late Tuesday afternoon, no structures have been damaged by the fire.
Smoke from a wildfire rises in Weatherford, Oklahoma. April 4, 2023.
(@OKTornadoDB / Twitter / FOX Weather)
HOW THE LAY OF THE LAND AFFECTS WILDFIRE BEHAVIOR
Located about an hour's drive west of Oklahoma City, Weatherford lies in an area experiencing extreme drought, making the environment vulnerable to wildfires.
Drought Monitor. April 4, 2023.
(FOX Forecast Center / FOX Weather)
Many areas in the southern Plains and Southwest were at critical or elevated risks for wildfires Tuesday. Parts of Oklahoma, along with Texas, New Mexico and Kansas, are at extreme risk.
Fire Weather Outlook for April 4, 2023.
(FOX Forecast Center / FOX Weather)
Fire Weather warnings and watches were issued through Wednesday evening in these states, as well as parts of Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri and Wisconsin.
Fire Weather Alerts. April 4, 2023.
(FOX Forecast Center / FOX Weather)