New burn ban covers more than half of state
Gov. Mary Fallin issued an order Thursday expanding the number of Oklahoma counties under a burn ban, bringing the total to 52 out of 77.
The new ban will remain in place until midnight March 2, according to a news release.
“Drought conditions continue to worsen across the state with no measurable rainfall occurring in the western third of Oklahoma for the past 130 days, and central Oklahoma is approaching 40 days without rain,” Fallin said. “An expanded burn ban is called for, to reduce the risk of preventable wildfires and to protect lives and property.”
The ban supersedes any county burn bans and covers Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cimarron, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, Love, Major, McClain, Murray, Noble, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Roger Mills, Seminole, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Tulsa, Washington, Washita, Woods and Woodward counties.
Officials from the Oklahoma Forestry Services recommended the ban based on threat of fire activity, wildland fuel conditions and the likelihood of continued drought.
“Oklahoma Forestry Services’ wildland fire crews and aircraft are prepositioned as conditions continue to deteriorate,” said George Geissler, OFS director.
“Oklahoma National Guard and Oklahoma Highway Patrol aircraft continue to support wildfire activities as necessary. We’ve also opened an air tanker base in Ardmore, and have additional helicopters staged in Weatherford and Shawnee in anticipation of initial attack needs across the state,” Geissler said.
Under the ban, campfires, bonfires, igniting fireworks and burning trash are among the outlawed activities.
Cooking outside using natural gas and charcoal grills is permitted as long as the cooking is done over a non-flammable surface and at least 5 feet from flammable vegetation. Any fire resulting from outdoor cooking is still considered an illegal fire.
Certain activities, such as welding and road construction, are exempt from the burn ban. For more information, go to www.forestry.ok.gov/ burn-ban-info or call the Oklahoma Forestry Services at 580-236-1021.