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Farmers Planting, Harvesting as Drought Recedes in Oklahoma

Joe Wertz / StateImpact Oklahoma

Recent rains across Oklahoma, and the forecast for more in the coming week are easing drought conditions in much of the state.

State climatologist Gary McManus said Friday that he's optimistic the moisture will prevent the return of severe drought that plagued the state during much of the past five years, in addition to reducing the danger of wildfires and providing much needed moisture for farmers.

Farmer Joe Kelly in Altus says he's harvesting cotton while planting wheat and is more optimistic about his crops than he's been since 2010.

Assistant state forestry director Mark Goeller said he's cautiously optimistic that the rain will come, but noted that low humidity, strong winds and warm temperatures combined with dormant vegetation can quickly raise the fire danger to a high level.

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