OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Forestry Services officials say 2017 is already among the most active on record with wildfires.
State forester George Geissler tells The Oklahoman that this year ranks in Oklahoma's top five wildfire seasons. He says that number could rise if the state sees "a bad summer season."
The forestry services has responded to more than 800 wildfires so far this year that resulted in more than 450,000 acres of burnt woodlands and grasslands.
Geissler says the most common source of the wildfires has been "human caused." Another source has been high winds downing power lines, causing them to arc on dry vegetation.
The wildfires have burned acres used to feed livestock, wooded areas and thousands of miles of fences.
Geissler says it's difficult to determine what the damage costs are statewide since the fires have affected different terrains.
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