Just 10 days into the brand new yr and the Oklahoma City Fire Department has already responded to almost 50 grass fires.
Much of Oklahoma is in severe or extreme drought conditions, in response to U.S. Drought Monitor. Combined with heat temperatures, wind gusts and low humidity, there may be an elevated threat of fires. The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a fire weather watch for Wednesday afternoon for western Oklahoma from the Woodward space all the way down to Altus.
While Oklahoma City just isn’t underneath the fireplace climate watch, the fireplace division usually sees an inflow of grass fires this time of yr. District Chief and Public Information Officer Scott Douglas stated from January by March final yr, the Fire Department responded to 200 grass fires per 30 days.
Since Jan. 1, 2023, the fireplace division has responded to almost 50 grass fires, Douglas stated.
Among these was a grass hearth that erupted Monday on Hefner Road, close to the intersection of Bryant Avenue. Douglas stated a truck suffered a blown tire, inflicting the rim to run on the street and creating sparks, which ignited the dry vegetation alongside the street.
Living proper throughout the road from that fireside is Dale Phillips. He noticed the blaze as he was getting set to move out.
“Just getting ready to pull out of the big garage coming out through here. So I just looked up this way and saw the grass burning,” stated Phillips
Flames had been dozens of toes excessive. Fortunately, the fireplace didn’t unfold onto Phillips’ property.
“The wind was blowing really good to the north so I felt pretty safe,” stated Phillips. “If it had been blowing the other way, I would have been getting water hoses out.”
Phillips referred to as 911 and Oklahoma City firefighters extinguished the blaze.
“It scared me to death, yes. I thanked the Lord that I was still here when it started,” stated Phillips. “Grateful I saw it that quick. Grateful I hadn’t left my house.”
Douglas stated when circumstances are this prone to fires, there are issues residents can do to guard their properties.
“Within 30 feet of your house, you want to eliminate as many fuel sources as possible. So we see a lot of people that store firewood. You have a dog house or some storage around close to your house. You want to eliminate all this away from your home,” stated Douglas. “What happens is it heightens these flames, and these flames can then get into the eave of your house.”
The Oklahoma City Fire Department posted a graphic with different methods individuals can shield their properties from fires. Residents are suggested to clear off pine needles, useless leaves and anything that may burn from their rooflines, gutters, decks, porches patios, and fence strains. People may add screens to vents and different openings round their properties to forestall embers carried by the wind from getting inside. In addition, owners can trim again shrubs or tree branches which are nearer than 5 toes from their properties.
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