The negative side of a dry wheat harvest reared its ugly head Tuesday…and again on Thursday.

Wheat field fires were reported across the area as combines continued wrapping up the 2020 harvest.

Elevated fire weather conditions are expected to continue for western Oklahoma and northwest Texas over the next several days and outdoor burning is discouraged.

High winds Tuesday created tough conditions for firefighters.

Fires in wheat fields occurred Tuesday afternoon about eight miles northeast of Okarche and five miles east of Omega.

Kingfisher Fire Department provided mutual aid at both locations.

Kingfisher Fire Department crews were called to another wheat field fire about four miles west of Kingfisher shortly before noon Thursday.

A number of combine fires have also occurred.

Lt. Cliff Crow of the Kingfisher Fire Department reminded all residents of a fire danger across the county due to dry conditions.

It is extremely dry, including pasture grasses, he said, pointing out that any blaze can quickly turn into a wildfire under current conditions.

Winds reaching 44 miles per hour in this area whipped the flames, hampering fire fighting efforts on Tuesday.

No injuries had been reported.

The winds had calmed down by Thursday.

The National Weather Service explained that a storm system moving east out of the Rocky Mountains and a tropical cyclone to the east created the strong wind conditions.

The events provided a brief break from the high heat and humidity that has held the county in its grip, pushing high temperatures to 100 and above.

Wednesday’s high was only 85 degrees.

More hot, dry days face the county as summer makes its official appearance on Saturday, June 20, when the daylight hours are the longest of the year. Summer hangs around until Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The Kingfisher forecast calls for highs approaching 100 degrees through Tuesday, although there is a slight chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday.