Burn ban issued

August 30, 2010

fire claims LeFlore County resident's pasture

A county wide burn ban went into effect Monday morning. With agreement from the majority of the county's city and rural fire chiefs, the county commissioners passed a burn ban this Monday at their weekly meeting. With temperatures in 90's all week and no substantial rainfall, the county commissioners and fire officials have determined that an “extreme fire danger exists in LeFlore County.” For the duration of the ban it is illegal for anyone to set fire to any forest, grass, range, crop, or any other wildlands. It is also illegal to build a campfire or bonfire, or to burn trash or any other material that could cause a fire. Violating the burn ban is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 or or imprisonment of up to a year, or both. The burn ban will be in effect all week unless ended by the county commissioners and fire officials. If conditions persist, however, the burn ban may be extended.