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Oklahoma
Forestry Services has established statewide area command operating out of
Oklahoma City as extreme fire danger persists across the state.
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Area
Command will coordinate state and federal wildland fire resources, including
air tankers and National Guard helicopters for response if necessary, as well
as communicating with Oklahoma Emergency Management and fire departments across
the state about the predicted high fire danger. OFS Wildland Task Forces and
firefighting personnel are also being staged to be ready to respond to existing
and new fires as needed.
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???There
is no relief in sight,??? said Mark Goeller, OFS fire management chief.
???Coordination of resources??"firefighters and aircraft??"is vital as calls continue
to come in from local fire departments for support .We have to prioritize our
limited resources to ensure maximum coverage across the state.???
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The
large Anderson Creek fire in Woods County continues to grow to an estimated
72,000 acre fire straddling the Oklahoma-Kansas state line. The fire began 15
miles west of Alva near Camp Houston. The safety of the public and firefighters
was a concern today as a dry line pushed into the state, bringing wind shifts
with gusts over 65 mph.
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The
fire weather forecast calls for elevated to critical fire danger to persist
into the weekend. Citizens are reminded to postpone outdoor burning, as well as
other activities like welding or charcoal grilling. Any fire that starts has
the potential to spread rapidly and exhibit erratic fire behavior.
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Due
to this potential behavior, citizens are asked to call and report any smoke or
fires to their nearest fire department. ???Time is of the essence in responding
to new fires,??? said Goeller. ???Getting on them quickly and keeping the size
small is critical in these conditions.???
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Oklahoma
Forestry Services is the state's lead agency related to wildland fire
prevention, protection and use. For additional information about wildfires,
visit www.forestry.ok.gov/wildfire-information.
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