Western Oklahoma Braces For Extreme Fire Danger As Environmental Conditions Raise Alarm

 

A number of fires are on-going in Oklahoma this afternoon and extreme fire weather conditions are forecast again tomorrow across western Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma Panhandle. High temperatures and dry fuels coupled with gusty winds will result in an extremely dangerous fire weather situation for all counties west of Interstate 35. Elevated to potentially critical fire weather will be present in areas of northern Oklahoma as well generally west of Highway 75.

 

Any fire that occurs given the current forecast conditions has the potential to spread rapidly and could result in large fires. Citizens are urged to be vigilant with outdoor activities and are asked to report any suspicious smoke or fire to their closest fire department or by calling 911. 

 

Homeowners can also make their home more defensible by moving trash, debris and other flammable items like firewood piles or portable propane tanks a safe distance away from their home.

Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?