High Fire Danger For Texas, Oklahoma Panhandles

OKLAHOMA CITY (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Forestry officials say conditions in the Texas and Oklahoma 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, resulting in "critical fire weather forecast for the region."

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.

Just last week, the Texas A&M Forest Service sent crews to help firefighters in Roberts County battle the Haggered Fire -- which encompassed more than 2,200 acres.

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

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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