Because of dry conditions, El Reno firefighters Dave Nichols, left, and Jesse Lesperance take extra precautions with a smoldering hay bale a farmer had dumped along North Shepard Avenue Tuesday afternoon. The bale apparently caught fire from tire friction, officials at the scene said. Photo/Pat Hammert

El Reno firefighters are bracing for wildfires as they watch dangerous weather conditions that combine warm temperatures with dry pastureland — and no rain in sight.

Thermometer readings in the 70s along with high winds have fed flames that scorched 360,000 acres in Oklahoma since Nov. 1, state fire officials say. Two people have been killed and 220 homes and businesses destroyed by wildfires.

At least 20 wildfires were reported on Sunday. Firefighters assisted on a major fire in Mustang on Dec. 27 that ignited several homes.

Since then, Canadian County has been spared any major fire damage, said Capt. Sterling Smith.

“But the conditions are ex-tremely dangerous right now. When it gets warm like this there’s low humidity and that’s a mix for disaster,” he said.

On Sunday, El Reno crews assisted on a major grass fire in the Hinton area in Caddo County that could have “gotten away from us,” he said.

“It was threatening structures and outbuildings and I think it burned some vehicles and about 60 acres. The only thing stopping it was wheat fields and plowed fields.”

Smith reminded people of the statewide ban against outdoor burning. Although outdoor grilling has not been banned, Smith said fire officials discourage charcoaling. And as for cigarettes, they need to be put out in the car ashtray. He said some Oklahoma residents aren’t heeding the warnings.

“I was going to Oklahoma City on the interstate after dark and saw someone throw out a cigarette. It was an Oklahoma tag but I wasn’t close enough to get the numbers,” Smith said.

Also on Sunday, El Reno fire crews responded to calls from Richland and Cashion on grass fires, stood by as workers repaired sparking utility lines at OKC 10th and Reformatory Road, and answered the call to stand by at a fire staging area in Oklahoma City at Frisco Road and Hefner Road.

Canadian County District Shop No. 1 has designated two road workers on 24-hour call to come to the aid of firefighters in the county, said Commissioner Phil Carson. A water tanker filled with 6,000 gallons of water is on standby.

“It’s got a pressure pump and it’s hooked up to the truck and ready to go, answering a call anywhere in the county. We have another 500-gallon water tank available, too, when it’s needed,” he said.

Last week, District 3 shop workers furnished a backhoe to help abate a smoking cotton module on Red Rock Road near the interstate. Firefighters stood down as the bales burned themselves out but were concerned that the wind would shift to the north, blowing embers to dry pastureland.

No rain is in the forecast for the next several days.