Slow progress against Oklahoma wildfires

For the third spring in a row, wildfires are raising heck with ag producers and others.  This year it's in Oklahoma, where progress is being made after last weekend's much-needed rain. Both major wildires had been burning since April 12, damaging approximately 350,000 acres. Rain fell on April 20-21 in the counties hit hardest by those wildfires, helping officials in containing the blazes. An Oklahoma forestry report issued this week shows both major fires are contained and the acreage affected by wildfires has decreased. The 34 Complex Fire has burned over 62,400 acres and is 94 percent contained. The Rhea Fire has destroyed almost 270,000 acres and is 74 percent contained. The rainfall moisture from last weekend almost equaled the total amount of moisture those same areas had picked up over the previous six months combined. The rainfall totaled over one inch in the area affected by the 34 Complex Fire, and the area affected by the Rhea Fire received just over three-quarters of an inch of rain through the weekend. The weather forecast is promising more rain chances through the rest of the week in areas hit hardest by the wildfires.  The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association is asking for hay donations as there is a shortage, however this comes at a time of tight supplies of hay across the country and here in Iowa.  Our thoughts and prayers to all affected.


View Full Site