Avoid any outdoor burning today and tomorrow. That’s the warning from weather experts and fire officials as high winds are expected to ramp up across Oklahoma for the next couple of days.

Gary McMannus, State Climatologist at the Oklahoma Mesonet and the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, on Wednesday wrote in his daily blog that high winds could create dangerous fire conditions both Thursday and Friday.

“Here in Oklahoma when winter gets really boring and we’re looking for excitement, we are given...fire danger? I’m afraid so. This is a mainstay of Oklahoma winters when the vegetation all dies or goes dormant and we get dry cold frontal passages,” McMannus wrote.

“The humidity craters and the wind kicks up--first from the southwest at the approach of the front, then from the north AFTER the front. The dry, relatively warmer air that is drawn up on those southerly winds desiccates things even further, increasing the fire danger, and leaves things prone to fire even in the windy cool following the front.

“We will see some dangerous wildfire conditions Thursday and Friday as we go through this scenario, capped by Friday’s extreme conditions,” McMannus added.

Seminole Fire Chief Fielding Lucas said that outdoor burning should be avoided Thursday and Friday because the dormant grass, fueled by high winds, “will spark pretty fast.”

Lucas added that fighting fires could be difficult for his crews because of the recent heavy rains.

“With all of the rain we’ve had lately, fields and other areas are still very muddy. That makes it hard to access some fires with our trucks and equipment,” Lucas said.

If you are outdoors and smell smoke, you are urged to report it by calling 9-1-1 or your local fire department. The Seminole Fire Department may be reached at (405) 382-1314.

For fire safety and prevention tips, visit www.smokybear.com.