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Oklahoma Forestry Services is urging Oklahomans to be aware that critical fire weather will be present for counties south of I-40 and west of I-35 today. As a result of these conditions, outdoor burning should be avoided until conditions improve.

Very low relative humidity, combined with higher temperatures and sustained winds at 20-30 mph, with some gusts possible over 35 mph, are creating the dangerous conditions prompting a fire weather watch in southwest Oklahoma today. Conditions are expected to deteriorate as a cold front pushes into the state. Oklahoma Forestry Services monitors immediate weather conditions, the condition of wildland fuels, current fire behavior and fire occurrences on a daily basis. All of these factors are taken into consideration when making recommendations to the public about fire danger.

???We are asking Oklahomans to pay close attention to the fire weather forecast over the next few days,??? said George Geissler, Oklahoma State Forester. ???For the safety of our citizens and our state's firefighters, we are advising people to avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve.???

Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, is the state's lead agency related to the wildland fire prevention, protection and use. Currently only one burn ban is in effect in McCurtain County. For the latest burn ban and fire information, visit www.forestry.ok.gov.