Firefighters warn Oklahoma fire danger is high despite cold weather, recent rain

SPERRY, Okla. - Fire crews fought two grass fires for hours Monday in Sperry.

The flames burned about 150 acres and came close to several homes. Firefighters say it's a reminder that during a drought -- fire season never ends.

On Monday, the fire came about 500 feet from Sonya Moore's home.
 
"I was scared that it was coming too close to the house and to the road," she said.

The fires are out now, but they left neighbors thinking about what could have happened.  

"Just be careful, it's very dry. We haven't had any rain," Moore said.

Crews say the fires started as controlled burns, but quickly grew out of control.

"Just prime conditions for wildfires. The wind wasn't too bad, but just vegetation is very dry," said Sperry fire chief Sam Bradley.

Even though northeast Oklahoma has received some rain lately, the area remains stuck in a drought. And Tulsa County is not under a burn ban . There are no burn bans in effect statewide.

Under state statute, no more than half an inch of rain can be forecast for the next three days to qualify for a ban.

Still, Bradley says fire danger is high.

"Just be careful. We're not under a burn ban, but just please, be careful," he said.