Super Scoopers Used To Fight Wildfires In Oklahoma

Wildfires continue to rage through Oklahoma this week as more critical to extreme fire weather is expected. The wildfires began on Friday, March 14 due to dry vegetation, low humidity and a historic wind storm. Responders could only use land resources due to the high winds, but this week, super scoopers have been spotted dropping water on wildfires and hot spots in an effort to contain active fires.

On Monday, March 17, News 9 spotted a super scooper retrieving lake from Arcadia Lake in central Oklahoma to dump water on a wildfire southeast of Guthrie. A dangerous wildfire broke out around 2:30 p.m. Monday east of I-35 and southeast Guthrie.

A second wildfire in the same area began showing "dangerous behavior" on Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Norman. Immediate evacuations were issued for southeast Logan County. Local firefighters responded to the wildfire on the ground while super scoopers dropped water from above.

Super scoopers were on standby in Oklahoma on March 14 to help fight wildfires.

Bridger Aerospace, which is based out of Montana, were on standby in Oklahoma on Friday, March 14 with their super scooper to help fight wildfires. The Oklahoma Forestry Services requested assistance from Bridger Aerospace before the high winds on March 14 in anticipation for a wildfire outbreak.

But winds were so high Friday that it was unsafe and impossible for the super scoopers to help fight the wildfire outbreak in Oklahoma. The planes were finally able to be utilized on Monday to help fight wildfires in central Oklahoma.

More critical to extreme fire danger expected in Oklahoma this week.

Critical to extreme fire weather will continue in Oklahoma this week sue to windy and dry conditions. From Tuesday into Wednesday, Oklahoma will see southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 40 to 45 miles per hour. Relative humidity values may be as low as 10 to 15 percent.

A dry cold front is expected to move through Oklahoma on Tuesday evening shifting winds to the west and northwest with gusts of 45 to 60 miles per hour possible.

The Red Flag Warning for Oklahoma was extended into Wednesday afternoon.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for multiple counties in Oklahoma. It is in effect until 1 p.m. Wednesday. During a Red Flag Warning, conditions will be critical for fire weather and the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will contribute to extreme fire behavior. Multiple burn bans have also been issued by several counties in Oklahoma.

During a Red Flag Warning, residents are urged to practice wildfire prevention tips and to stay weather aware throughout the week as critical to extreme fire weather will persist through Friday.