Strong deviation from the Maxwell-Boltzmann equilibrium for the populations of the upsilon " = 0 and upsilon " = 1 vibrational levels of OH(X (2) Pi(i)) radicals was observed in the preflame zone of the methane/oxygen/nitrogen flame. The OH concentrations for the upsilon " = 0 and upsilon " = 1 levels were measured using cavity ring-down spectroscopy in the 30 Torr flat flame. In that flame the population ratio for upsilon " = 1/upsilon " = 0 is similar to 20 times the equilibrium value at locations similar to 6 mm below the luminescent zone. Above the flame front this ratio was found to be close to the equilibrium value. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.