Four Arrested In Cleveland County For Violating Burn Ban

The Cleveland County Sheriff's Office has arrested four people for violating the statewide burn ban.

Gov. Mary Fallin enacted the ban on August 3 due to the extreme drought conditions across the state. Since then, wildfires in several counties destroyed 380 homes and burned 170 square miles.

One person, 67-year-old Linda Zoldoske, was killed in Cleveland County when a wildfire destroyed her home.

8/15/2012 Related Story: Medical Examiner Identifies Woman Killed In Cleveland County Wildfire

The four people Cleveland County deputies arrested all admitted to knowing about the burn ban. Sheriff Joe Lester said people must be aware of how dangerous the conditions are, and how easily a fire can rage out of control.

"Everyone must obey the law," said Lester. "Those who choose to ignore the ban and burn outdoors, show no respect for others. As we saw two weeks ago, it only takes a matter of seconds for a fire, even unintentional, to spread and turn out of control."

People caught violated the burn ban will be charged with a misdemeanor. They could be fined up to $1,000 and sentenced to a year in jail.