Gov. Mary Fallin has issued a burn ban for the western part of Oklahoma (darkest area) beginning Jan. 30. Lighter shaded counties are under county burn bans. See the most recent information at www.forestry.ok.gov.
On Jan. 30, Gov. Mary Fallin issued a proclamation declaring a burn ban for the western part of Oklahoma.
Nothing in these guidelines relieves an individual from responsibility for his or her actions. If the use of fire in contracting, welding, cooking, or for any other purpose results in a wildfire, the individual conducting such activity is responsible for the immediate suppression of the fire, and for damages that might occur from such fire.
As is broadly defined in O.S. Title 2, Article 16, Section 16-26, the term “unlawful burning” is applied to both land cover and point sources such as campfires and trash fires. It also applies to other potential ignition sources for any land-cover fire.
Two basic principles apply to all of these situations:
1. Individuals are responsible for their actions and the results of their activities; and
2. Reasonable caution must be exercised with respect to the existing high fire danger and extra precautionary measures must be taken to prevent wildfires.
Campfires and Outdoor Cooking
Outdoor campfires or bonfires are prohibited. LPG and natural gas grills and charcoal-fired cooking outside in a grilling receptacle are permitted provided that the activity is conducted over a nonflammable surface and at least five feet from flammable vegetation. Coleman-type pressurized stoves are exempt. However, any fire resulting from grilling or the use of one of these cookers or stoves is still an illegal fire.
Other guidelines and exemptions are outlined on the state forestry website at http://www.forestry.ok.gov. For more information, contact Oklahoma Forestry Services at 405-522-
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