Conditions ideal for wildfires, officials warn

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Forestry officials say conditions in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles are ideal for sparking wildfires.

Oklahoma Forestry Service officials say danger levels are high Monday in western Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Panhandle.

The Texas A&M Forest Service says the Texas Panhandle and parts of western Texas also face a high risk of wildfires. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports conditions are abnormally dry in the areas.

Monday’s forecast calls for low relative humidity, winds gusting over 30 mph and temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s across the region. Oklahoma State Forester Mark Goeller says the area is dry with no significant rainfall in the last 30 days.

In Oklahoma, firefighting resources have been prepositioned in Guymon and Weatherford and an Oklahoma National Guard helicopter is on standby for deployment.