Green Country Firefighters Prepared As Burn Bans Issued

About a dozen counties in Green Country are under a burn ban right now. Rain is desperately needed as drought continues to get worse.

Fire departments said it is business as usual for them; they’re always ready to respond. But firefighters need help from the public, to help prevent fires from starting in the first place.

It's windy, dry and warm across Green Country, making conditions just right for grass fires. 

There are several counties across northeast Oklahoma where people are being asked not to burn outside.

Burn ban or not, Sand Springs Fire Chief Jeremy Wade said his trucks are ready.

"It's four-wheel drive, so we can go off the roadway with it. And then in the back we have about 250 gallons of water,” Wade said.

They've also got leaf blowers, rakes and drip torches for back burning. And firefighters are always prepared to keep themselves hydrated.

Sand Springs firefighters are keeping up with more than one burn ban.

"We run in three different counties. Sand Springs fire actually runs in Creek, a little bit of Creek County, Tulsa County and Osage so we kinda have to stay on top of all three counties and what they're doing,” Wade said.

In Cherokee County, Tahlequah Fire Chief Casey Baker can’t remember the last time it rained.

"I can't. It's been a while. You could probably tell me that,” Baker said.

Our Oklahoma weather experts said it was about a month ago, on September 24th, with a half inch of rain.

Looking ahead on the calendar, this week is the 100th anniversary of Northeastern State University's first homecoming, and Baker said the burn ban will likely have an impact on celebrations.

"I think they had some bonfires scheduled and some fireworks shows that we're gonna have to probably change,” he said.

Some counties set their burn bans for the next seven days, others for the next two weeks, with everyone hoping we won't have to wait that long for rain.

The burn ban rules and consequences vary by county. 

Tulsa:

"The burn ban prohibits outdoor burning, including controlled burns, bonfires, fire pits, and chimineas. Grilling and welding over a non-flammable surface are permitted. Exemptions for burning must be obtained through area fire districts. Enforcement of the resolution can be carried out by any law enforcement officer in the state of Oklahoma. Anyone convicted of violating the resolution will be subject to a $500 fine, or prison not to exceed a year, or both. Fine amounts may be higher in municipalities."

Creek: "Gas grills, if attended, on concrete, welding with pressurized water on standby and observer present is allowed." 

Wagoner: "...It is unlawful for any person to set fire to any person to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands, or to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass, range, crop or other wildlands fire. 

Exceptions to this fire prohibition and the appropriate precautionary measures to be taken are as follows: 

1. Gas Grills 
2. Charcoal Grills and smokers, if attended, on a minimum 10'x10' concrete pad, water available and embers to be extinguished if grills or smokers are to be transported. 
3. Welding, if a permit is obtained from the local fire department and pressurized water is on standby and an observer is present.

Cherokee: "The Cherokee County Commissioners enacted a county wide burn ban this morning. THERE IS NO OPEN BURNING ALLOWED IN CHEROKEE COUNTY, charcoal grills are the only exception. People found to be burning, whether the fire is attended or not, can be cited and prosecuted.

Please do not set brush piles, trash piles or anything else on fire until the commissioners and our fire departments feel it is safe to lift the ban."

Rogers: "Due to the extreme drought conditions, Rogers County Commissioners have passed a burn ban effective immediately. The burn ban makes it illegal for outdoor burning. Violating the ban is punishable up to a fine of $500 and potentially a year in jail. The ban will be in effect for the next 14 days."

Related: Burn Bans Issued Across Oklahoma Amid Dry, Drought Conditions