Fire danger on the rise thanks to lack of rain

Oklahoma is facing a rapidly increasing danger of wildfires... that's the word from Oklahoma forestry officials.

Flooding caused by heavy rain in May and early June came from storms that spawned deadly tornadoes.

Since then, strong winds combined with temperatures near or above 100 degrees have evaporated that moisture.

State Forester George Geissler tells KRMG that downed tree limbs and debris from those tornadoes are also drying out. That provides potential fuel for a wildfire.

Forestry spokeswoman Michelle Finch-Walker says the first significant fire of the year was a 300-acre fire in northeastern Oklahoma earlier this week.

Finch-Walker says larger fires are likely by the end of July unless the state receives rainfall.

Drought conditions have also worsened with more than 30 percent of the state in extreme to exceptional drought.