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Burn Ban

Update 4/23 - Governor Frank Keating has signed an executive order imposing a ban on outdoor burning in the following counties: Beaver, Cimarron, Harper, Texas and Woodward.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2002

GOVERNOR KEATING INCLUDES 11 NEW COUNTIES IN BURN BAN

Governor Frank Keating today signed an executive order imposing a ban on outdoor burning in 11 additional counties. The counties in the new order are: Alfalfa, Beaver, Cimarron, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Grant, Harper, Osage, Woods and Woodward. They join Texas County which has been continuously under the ban since last year.

"The burn ban in these counties is the result of analysis and input from the Department of Agriculture and numerous elected local public officials and fire departments," the Governor said. "Drought conditions continue to worsen and local fire departments are reporting increasing levels of activity. Most of the fires are the result of human negligence. I urge all citizens to use extreme caution during these very dry conditions."

Under this order, gas and charcoal grilling are not included in the ban nor is the burning of wheat stubble. Organized public fireworks displays with local authority or approval of the State Fire Marshal's office are also exempt.

More information can be found at the following web sites:

Governor's Press Release: http://www.governor.state.ok.us/ban4302.htm

Daily Oklahoman: http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=843889&pic=none&TP=getarticle

Guidelines for the Outdoor Burn Ban: http://www.state.ok.us/%7Eokag/redflag/banguides.html

Statewide Wildfire Preparedness http://www.state.ok.us/%7Eokag/redflag/forred.html

Update:
4/10/2002 Osage County has been removed from Burn Ban.

Update:
4/15/02: CUSTER, DEWEY AND GRANT COUNTIES REMOVED FROM BURNING BAN

Update:
4/23/02: ALFALFA, ELLIS and WOODS COUNTIES REMOVED FROM BURNING BAN