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A much needed rainfall occurred in some areas of Oklahoma overnight. Some areas reported 0.01 to 2.58 inches of rainfall. The moisture received will have very short term benefits on fire behavior due to the meager amounts of rainfall, very dry soil conditions and warm temperatures. However, the rain will provide short term benefits by wetting the top layer of fuels (dead leaf litter and grasses) slowing a fires rate of spread and assisting with mop up on ongoing fires.

For example on the 350 Complex Fire, firefighters are finding smoldering spots 6-10 inches deep; thus the rain may not have even touched other undetected hot spots. ???A constant steady rainfall is needed to quench the parched land and seep deep into the soil where the fire is still smoldering???, explains George Geissler, Director of Oklahoma Forestry Services. ???Multiple bouts of steady rain are needed to alleviate the dry conditions.???

New Fires (4/8/16 to 4/11/16)

New State Mountain Fire (Pittsburg County) - 271 acres, 100% contained. Fire started 4/10/16. Chislom Fire (Canadian County) ??" An OSF Task Force assisted Cedar Lake Fire Department suppressing this 60 acre fire along with two CL-415's protecting structures. Fire is 100% contained. Fire started 4/9/2016.

350 Complex Update:

Crews continue working the 57,167 acre 350 Complex Fire. The fire is now reported to be 80% contained. Using the Southeastern States Forest Fire Compact, Oklahoma Forestry Services reached out to their neighboring state forestry divisions to provide assistance with fire suppression. States included Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas. The Lone Star State Type 2 Incident Management Team remains in place to assist in managing the fire in unified command with the Woodward Fire Department and Mooreland Fire Department. The cause of the fire has been identified as arcing power lines. For more information on the 350 Complex Fire, contact 979-450-2578.

Oklahoma Forestry Services is working in cooperation with local fire departments, County Wildland Task Forces and County and State Emergency Management to suppress the fires and protect lives and property across the state. 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 .

Burn Bans:

Harper, Cimarron, Texas and Beaver Counties have issued a county burn ban. For the most current information on Burn Bans click on the following link: http://www.forestry.ok.govburn-ban-information

Wildfire Prevention Tip:

Equipment-caused wildfires are very common this time of year. Just one small spark can ignite dry grass. Spark arrestors are required on ALL portable, gasoline-powered equipment; including tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed-eaters, mowers, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.