Wildfire

• Historically, fire occur frequently in Oklahoma, sometimes every year in some areas.
• Native plants and wildlife rely on environmental changes caused by fire.
• Fire suppression has inadvertently led to the decline of many native species of animals and plants, while helping others such as the eastern redcedar spread.
• Eastern redcedar is a volatile fuel that is very difficult for firefighters to extinguish and represents a serious threat to the safety of firefighters and structures.

 

Prescribed Fire

• A prescribed fire or controlled burning is intentionally set to achieve land
  management objectives.
• Properly managed prescribed fires improve habitat for wildlife, remove hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk, control invasive plants and improve forage for livestock. Prescribed fire is a cost-effective method to manage land.
• Prescribed fires are conducted under closely monitored conditions to ensure proper relative humidity and wind speed.

 

Fire Safety

• Do not drive into smoke on highways if it impedes your vision.
• Homeowners can reduce the risk of structural damage or injury from wildfires by following procedures suggested by the National Fire Protection Association via the Firewise program.
• Plant only nonflammable vegetation and remove flammable debris within 30 feet of your home.
• Trim trees up from the ground out to a minimum of 150 feet from your home. Remove eastern redcedar entirely within that range.
• Use nonflammable materials for home siding and roof material.

 

Other Resources

• Creating a fire-wise community
• Climatological information on fire threat
• Oklahoma Prescribed Fire Council